Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    California Skewers

    3.7 (100 reviews)
    ModerateMediterranean
    Closed • Closed

    California Skewers Photos

    Business Info

    CALIFORNIA SKEWERS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like California Skewers

    Recommended Reviews - California Skewers

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Creamy Hummus with Fried Pita - $3.25. I think the hummus is nice, but oily taste in chips over powers it.
    Donna S.

    I would stick to the skewers here. I enjoyed several flavors of the skewers. They came with a large serving and of rice and salad. I have tried the Chimichurri Steak, chicken, Mediterranean Beef, and Salmon. All were pretty good and made for a nice meal. I also think the hummus is pretty good http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ijr0NUTSiKe4q8nps2QMkw?select=E_7257qpbjzP1fAJ2keEzQ. But the fried pita chips that come with it are so oily, they have a funny rancid vegetable oil after taste and it affects the flavor of the hummus. Ask for regular pita bread or use your own bread/chips. The Chicken Nacho pizza I did not care for http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ijr0NUTSiKe4q8nps2QMkw?select=I58mXJX0H2YTSF_28T2eEw. Maybe I just don't like black beans on my pizza, but it didn't do anything for me at all flavor wise. The Chimichurri Steak Wrap was a good size for the price with fries and coleslaw as a side http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ijr0NUTSiKe4q8nps2QMkw?select=NcCJDiVhfXDw0jqCJkKeEg. The owner has always been super friendly when I have gone in to have a drink at the bar. But the wine selection is slim with only Yellow Tail offered, so I would stick with the beer. There is a TV so you can watch a game. He often offers some sample of something he is whipping up in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I have never been impressed with the offerings. Once it was an Indian dish, but he wasn't using basmati rice, it was just some regular white rice, which I didn't care for. Often he offers me a free iced tea to drink while I wait for my food order. So stick with skewers and beer, forgo the fried pita chips, and you are good to go.

    Chicken burger and fries, $7.95
    Marissa G.

    The food was average and the decor was nice, but the health code violations were too much for me. My aunt and I decided to try this place for dinner. At 6PM on a Saturday, there are only 2 people at the bar and they're not even drinking. Should have turned around and left. There was only one waitress working and she was very friendly. I had the iced tea, which turned out to be watery-tasting tropical tea. The offer a few standard tap beers (Newcastle, etc. Nothing stout.). I noticed bottled beers but they're not visible from the dining room. Their draft beers were broken and were only pouring out foam, which I watched happen. I then got to hear the waitress loudly explain "Like, the draft beer, like, only comes out in, like, foam. And like, the manager, like, always tells the company to, like, fix it. But, like, he came and fixed it, and like, it, like, never changes." Seriously? All while running her fingers through her hair. Gag. California Skewers seems to suffer from Multiple Personality Disorder! The menu is all over the place and their "signature skewers" don't even take up 5% of the menu. They're literally buried beneath the burgers, wraps, sandwiches, pasta and pizza dishes. I went with the chicken burger ($7.95), which is basically a grilled chicken sandwich. It was covered with at least an inch of mayo on the top and another thick layer at the bottom. I scraped it off. The chicken itself was moist and tender, but lacked any real flavor. The fries were plentiful but average. My aunt got their 2 skewer meal, which is supposed to be $9.95. When I went back to look at the menu to write my review, I noticed that it says to add 50 cents for each beef skewer and $1 for each seafood skewer, in tiny letters, of course. The beef skewers came with tender beef and grilled carrots over rice pilaf and a "chopped salad". In most restaurants, that's a salad with a ton of stuff. At this restaurant, it's a bunch of romaine lettuce and herbal vinaigrette. Now, the reason I wouldn't return? The waitress didn't have her hair pulled back and she kept playing with it and running her hands through it, which she did just before bringing us our plates. She also scratched her ear and even pulled her shorts down out of her crotch without washing her hands after. She was also drinking and texting behind the counter, which is gross. And as a kicker, I noticed a "B" health rating as we were leaving. It's not visible if you enter from the front because it's in a back window. Awesome! Will not be back EVER.

    California Skewers | Lake Ave. Pasadena

    See all

    Photo of Angelo L.
    236
    47
    73

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Molly C.
    314
    38
    29

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Irms R.
    78
    1365
    7077

    3 years ago

    staff is friendly, food is delicious, price is reasonable, plenty of plaza parking, will definitely order again.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Vic C.
    149
    4005
    18179

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fraud I.
    2
    275
    150

    14 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Melody W.
    75
    47
    15

    16 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    I am obsessed with their hummus and pita chips. I think I may have a problem.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nat U.
    10
    17
    50

    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ray H.
    6
    99
    0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    20 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Peter L.
    215
    61
    40

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kipp P.
    183
    78
    13

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alan A.
    599
    70
    11

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ami T.
    450
    831
    1943

    19 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yessi V.
    46
    66
    18

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of N M.
    10
    63
    8

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jes G.
    181
    10
    1

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - California Skewers

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mediterranean 46,138 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern

    The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern

    4.3(1k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    •$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Sports on TV

    Diplomat is a Mediterranean restaurant in the Old Town Monrovia area…read more I came on a Friday lunch early lunch without a reservation and was able to get seated quickly. When I left, the tables got packed. I tried the platter for two, which came with a load of delicious rice, three proteins, roasted tomatoes and peppers. I enjoyed pairing it with their tahini and garlic sauces. The service and hospitality were amazing. Shout out to Ari, she is the best and really made my dining experience seamless. From recommendations, to check-ins, to bringing sauces for my table to try, it felt personable. The interior is perfect for families, dates, and catching up. It's casual but feels elevated. Overall, I had a great dining experience here and I'd recommend others to visit.

    We were traveling nearby and saw that The Diplomat had a 5-star rating. Having now eaten there I…read morecan confirm that it is deserved. The food is delicious and the prices are appropriate given the portion sizes. Service was prompt and professional. Parking might be a challenge, though there are public lots within a block or two. We went on a Friday night and encountered heavy traffic from the local farmer's market/fair. The best item was the Beef kabob, 5 out of 5 stars. It was perfectly cooked, a very simply salt and pepper seasoning, juicy and simply divine! We got the kids meal, which came with only 4 pieces, and I'd be interested to return for the full adult portion. Also a 5-star experience was the Fried cauliflower appetizer. It had just the right amount of crispiness, without any blackening, and the garlic/parsley/lemon juice combo worked well. The juice was sucked into all the crevices, and overall it was light. I think I could have eaten two portions myself and called it a satisfying meal. I did dip in some tzatziki, which worked great too! Lastly the Chicken shawarma was a 4-star dish. Still delicious and I'd get it again, but it was slightly salty from the marinade and added sauce. I was expecting this to be wrapped up, but it was more an open-face naan with the chicken covering the top. Rice pilaf was savory, I'd rather not know just how many calories are included, the rice was still moist even after reheating the next day.

    Photos
    The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern
    The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern
    The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern

    See all

    Chicken King Express

    Chicken King Express

    4.4(483 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    •$$
    Kid friendly
    Healthy dining

    I owe this place an apology…read more The signage outside doesn't do it justice. I drove by so many times thinking it was just another spot grilling Costco rotisserie chicken. I couldn't have been more wrong. Now I'm kicking myself for every day I passed by hungry without stopping in. I actually knew the food was going to be good the moment I walked in. The owner didn't put on a performance or overdo the customer service. There was a quiet confidence that said, "The food speaks for itself." And it absolutely does. The chicken was perfectly grilled, juicy, and seasoned all the way through. Every bite had balanced flavor instead of just seasoning on the outside. The beef kebab was done exactly the way it should be, tender, smoky, and packed with flavor. This wasn't fast food quality. It tasted like something you'd expect at a catered banquet or family celebration. Then there were the sides. The hummus was incredibly fresh, smooth, and creamy. The salad was crisp and vibrant. But the biggest surprise was the Armenian pilaf rice. I don't know what they do to it, but it completely stole the show. It was rich, buttery, perfectly cooked, and so flavorful that I honestly ran out of words. Fresh pita, generous portions, authentic flavors, and food that tastes like it was made with pride. If you've been driving past this place because the outside doesn't catch your attention, don't make the same mistake I did. Walk in once, and you'll understand why the food is what keeps people coming back. Five stars without hesitation.

    This business is kind of tucked out of the way. But it is a…read morefantastic place to get some real good Chicken. The people are nice, but I don't ever eat in. If you are looking for some good clean food check them out. If they wanted to, they could be the best spot for chicken in Monrovia. They seem to be happy as a small outlet. Enjoy!

    Photos
    Chicken King Express
    Chicken King Express
    Chicken King Express

    See all

    California Skewers - mediterranean - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...