Wow! This restaurant is hopping! I parked in their small lot and when I got out the entire two tables outside stared me down--kids and adults together. Lol I guess I'm an outsider here but that was odd. I came in on a weekday evening and ordered some takeout which was prepared reasonably quickly and the flavors were fantastic! The price is a bit steep but I think the rice was delightful and everything had an excellent flavor. If I were totally budget unconstrained I would love to bring a big group here and really enjoy the full menu. However, if you sit in the restaurant too long you will absolutely be second hand smoking. My eyes were watering after about 10-15 minutes--or perhaps the kebabs made me emotional! read more

Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Van Nuys, California

My 2nd time here. 1st was by myself after being recommended by a friend and had to get it to go since it was the day before New Year's Day and they had to go only. 2nd time (today) was with guests that we are showing around In LA. They are known for their eggplant kebab. It stands out because it's tasty, juicy, and not dry. Their meat is also very juicy. We also were addicted with the sauce that we had to ask for it three times. The restaurant was spacious and had a really nice aesthetic in the bathroom. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area. read more

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Amazing food. Prob the best seasoned lulu kabob I've ever had. Only downfall is the rice portion is a little disappointing. Rice is such a cheap filler I don't think it would hurt to give the general amount of rice that I am personally used to from other middle eastern restaurants. An additional side of rice runs about 8/9 dollars. read more

Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Van Nuys, California

Ordered for 4 to try catering menu, told them if good would order for large party. Pickled veggies were worst ever tried. The meat was good thou. Ordered appetizers and sides too. When catered meat barely got touched it was so bad, the rice was sooooo little (had to make more), the fries were thin and soagy (no kids wanted) feel so ripped off. Akward dinner, 1st time I saw so many meat eaters opt for salads. Really wanted this to be my go-to, but recipes clearly have inconsistencies. Be aware. read more

Lamb chops, the best tasting dish out of the meal. Their skewers were alright, the meat is very lean. This place gives tons of vegetables, fresh and pickled. Their rice was SO buttery and heavenly. Friendly service. It was really busy on a Friday evening! Great for big parties. read more

We used to come here all the time in the past and I'm not sure what has happened but the quality in service and food is terrible. We ordered four different entrees with fries and rice for each of the entrees. All of the meat ended up on one plate which was odd because it was crazy to see four entrees on one entree plate. The portions were ridiculously small. The kebab was smaller than my pinky. For four entrees they only brought out one half rice side and one half fries side when it was supposed to be four of each. The service was offensive. Our servers wouldn't come to our table and when they did they kept making jokes like we were children. While they were clearing plates they teased us asking who's gonna take the last bite...as if I, a grown man, was 10 years old. On top of that there is a 20% gratuity already included in the tip... we were only a group of four! And they asked for additional tip. Never coming back again. They need to fix their portions and their staff. read more

Great food, fresh ingredients, and excellent service! Everything we ordered was delicious and full of flavor. The staff was friendly and welcoming. We'll definitely be back! read more

I had lunch here today and I have to say that I'm not going back I ordered chicken kebab plate and it came with grilled tomato that was actually cold! The chicken was literally burnt , the rice was just clumpy and tasteless A real Middle Eastern food plate comes with hummus and some grilled pepper and some fluffy rice unfortunately that's not the case here Try some other restaurants if you're looking for a real delicious middle eastern food read more

Worst place! I ordered food Father's Day!! Had a full conversion with the guy that took my order because I don't like lamb and said please don't put lamb in my Lule if that's the case then make it all tikke! He said ok no problem!! I placed my order on Thursday knowing they would be booked! So 3 days before Father's Day! And I'm Lebanese i could make all of that at home!! But iI didn't want my mom to work we are morning out Father. Anyway something came up and I couldn't pick up the order so I was gonna have it delivered! But when I called they said we don't have an order for you let me check and get back to you and no one even had the decency to call back on Father's Day!! Not cool!! read more

Eating at Koko's was a treat, and I really appreciated the service despite not being of the same culture. The ambiance errs on the louder side and caters to normal parties of 3+ to larger ones of 10+. The staff members were all patient in explaining entrees and checking in once the food was served. Parking was not the easiest since the plaza is small, but there is plenty of street parking, which makes for a nice after-meal stroll. I ordered a combination to try their beef and lamb. For the price that it was, it definitely leaned on the pricier side. Once seated, I was served what felt like the MOST refreshing glass of water - the perfect temperature, not ice cold but not lukewarm either, cool but not chilled. The pickled vegetables were a nice appetizer and condiment to the entree. Their rice was also extremely tasty, and it had accents of butter - smooth and sweet. The meats (though a tad scarce) were both medium rare and extremely tender. Between bites, there were a several cuts of pita bread as a palate cleanser. The onions and garlic were served with a tasty spice, and the meal ended on a sweet note with the tomato. Overall, service was welcoming, and food was tasty. The least enjoyable restaurant was the lingering small of cigarettes or smoke, but it was a tolerable tradeoff for a tasty dinner. read more

Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant - Pickled Vegetables - Middle Eastern Near Me - Van Nuys, California

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Amazing food can't get enough of this place a must try..... the service is great also.... read more

Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant - Spicy Adaba kebab and chicken breast topped with Anta Kali bread. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Van Nuys, California

Could be a one-off, but very disappointed that my first visit to Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant on Vanowen in Lake Balboa was not a positive experience. "Take-Out Special" was missing 'greens mix', and 3 extremely dry (stale or freezer-burned?), definitely-not-fresh falafel had zero flavor (would have deserved at least one star if they'd cared to put tahini sauce in the bag). read more

Last month my job catered from Koko's. Today I went in. After years of driving by and never interested in stopping. I am a big fan of Lebanese and Syrian gastronomy this place is extremely good. I think I met the owner. I will have to make this place a weekly thing. We ordered a combo meal, fatoush salad and some baklava. Very clean very modern. It was quiet when I got there. Many groups of people were dinning by the time our order. If ordering out I suggest calling them first. Definitely coming back. read more

This place you can't go wrong. Excellent food. I've been here a couple of times and I brought people and no one complained - everybody just basically said the restaurant knocked it out of the park read more

Amazing Mediterranean food great ownership with good crew an amazing service Hi recommended highly read more

Great restaurant- Food is delicious, the atmosphere is casual. Efficient service and friendly staff. Highly recommended for a casual dinner with very good Mediterranean food. Lebanese Armenian in flavor read more

Better than expected but very loud. Service was good, food was okay but the pita bread was subpar for me.

First time there with a dear friend who goes there frequently. Good food and very good service, wide selection to chose from and we were not disappointed. Parking is limited, ambiance is good mid level and comfortable. read more

I tried this place last week because a friend told me I should try certain dishes from there, and it was not disappointing. Everything we ordered was great. My favorite were the chi kofta, the etch, and the cheese rolls. So good. I wish this place was busier. There were only 4 tables including us last Sunday. But they deserve a lot more, and I'm definitely coming back. read more

Get the spicy Adana Kabob - ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS. Staff and service is excellent as well. This is a valley gem!

I went to KoKos because it had several good reviews, and I wanted some Mediterranean food. I ordered the appetizer duo- humus and baba ganoush. Both were acceptable, but the portion size was pretty small. I was there with a friend and it was enough for the two of us, but there would not have been enough if we had a third person with us. Overall the portion sizes were not generous. I ordered the combination plate of chicken breast kebab and beef shish Kabab. The beef was really good. Good flavor and tender (I ordered it medium and it came totally cooked but not dried out). The chicken was good but not outstanding. The combo plate came with a choice of French fries or rice. I chose rice. It was white rice and really bland. No seasoning like saffron or anything. My friend wanted a low carb option of a combo plate and was told she couldn't substitute anything for the rice/french fries. She ended up with a lule sandwich. I had a bite of the lulekebab. Nothing special. Service was slow and they took the order of a table with two men who arrived way after us first. We waited ten minutes for water while the men were served sodas and appetizers. Bottom line the food was overpriced and not outstanding in any way. Ali Babas in Granada Hills is waaay better in price and food. read more

First time trying Koko's and it was absolutely everything! We tried a lot of things from the menu ranging from the zesty tabule to the tender sujukh sandwich! The chi kufteh was a bit different than I always have it because it had a lot of tomato paste inside, but nonetheless still very good. The kidye was my absolute favorite alongside the tabule. I can say hands down this was the best tabule I have ever had! The Manti was so so good, tasted very much like what I would have growing up! Our server was also very nice and helpful! The restaurant is also very clean and nice. Overall, a great Middle Eastern restaurant! read more

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I'll be up front with you... It's FIVE STARS... Why ? For me it's the frog legs and the people behind the deliciousness that goes on in here. Set in the heart of The Valley with accessible parking - you enter into a newly remodeled lavish dining hall. You're eating in privacy but also enjoying the atmosphere of others. We ordered the frog legs which were tender, fall off the bone - and juicy. They come soaking in a lemon garlic parsley, cilantro olive oil juice, that you can literally sip after you're finished. Each bite makes your mouth burst into a flavor filled pucker. The quality is great and the owner Elias greets with loving firmness that makes you feel seen and safe immediately. They are proud of what they serve and what they make and they should be because it's polished and authentic. Thank you KoKo's read more

Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant - Frog Legs - Middle Eastern Near Me - Van Nuys, California

Don't bother coming here if you're not Persian or Middle Eastern, you will wait at least an hour for your food. Water wasn't refilled once and the place was super understaffed. Food wasn't even hot when it came out, the food itself was decent but nothing to write home about. read more

It was one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. The food took an hour to come out. It was not hot when the food came out. The servers actually never came up to our table once to refill our water. They were busy just taking care of their own. It felt like they were discriminating against us because my group was not Persian. I would not recommend it if you are not Persian. They will not take care of you and it will take an hour for a shish kabob and chicken combo to come out. Not going back ever again. read more

We came for a large gathering, and we weren't the only ones there with a gathering. From my impression most people are coming here with large groups. This is your run of the mill Armenian food. I love their Shirazi salad, this might have been my favorite part. My boyfriend loved their lamb chops. Appetizers were my favorite, cheese tomato pickles, mmmm. They kept the warm bread coming. The service was up to par and we never really ran out of anything because they kept it coming. Parking is extremely difficult as its a tiny parking lot. read more

The five stars are for the food and only for the impeccable food only. The servers really need to be more hospitable. Customers are not holding you hostage. You're working there by choice. Place closes at 6pm, you walk in at 4:30pm and you're greeted with extremely rude attitude by 3/5 servers since they seem to rotate. If you're that inconvenienced as a team, maybe shorten your hours online? Extremely bizarre outlook, truly. Throwing plates on the table to set up. I would understand if we walked in at 5:30pm. But an hour and a half before closing time for two people does not warrant that behavior. Happened twice now. read more

We were brought to our table which only had 1 chair....Children run this place, actually boys do and they have no manners. Food was nothing special. No one EVER came to our table. Too busy servicing their own. Had to get up twice for clean silverware as well as to pay. Zeroooo tip! read more

Terrible service with to-go orders... if I don't there then I won't order ever again... their service at the restaurant is mediocre but the food is good. Turkish/lebanese style. Good good but u gotta bug them to get the service u pay for... STUPID EXPENSIVE HAHAHA read more

The best restaurant in the area. Delicious and very clean. The people there are very friendly and nice.

Good and fast service..variety menu..delicious food..clean place ..reasonable prices..Highly recommend

Came here on a Friday night with some friends and so glad we did. We shared an order of hummus, a trio of Labneh, Moutabal, and Mouhamara, Krdiye (spicy fried cheese,) falafel, shinglish (cheese and tomatoes,) and grape leaves. Plenty of food, prices reasonable, and I was happy with everything. Then we also split an order of baklava, and it may have been the best I have ever eaten. Service was good, the owner was kind, and I loved the authenticity. I definitely would go back. one tip: the parking lot can be a bit of a mess, but if you go one block over to Hartland, you can park there and walk through the alley or the other strip mall. read more

We were looking forward to having lunch with a group of friends during our meeting day. We pre ordered the food so we don't waste time, but once we got to the restaurant they refused to have us seated even though the place was empty. Not going there again!!! Very disappointed read more

Great food. Great service. Loving the remodel!! Best middle eastern food in LA! The owner and his staff is always so welcoming. Their attention to detail is what keeps us coming back ! Thank you. read more

Really great restaurant inside a quiet plaza in Lake Balboa. The young man who served us was so polite and respectful- absolutely impeccable service throughout. The food was delicious, fresh and flavorful. The restaurant was spotless and tables were being cleaned properly - meaning actually sprayed down carefully, not with a dirty old rag as I have seen many times in other establishments. Wouldn't hesitate to revisit if we were in the area again. Highly recommend this lovely, cosy restaurant - tucked away - you won't be disappointed! read more

The food is great here! I ordered the two meat pkTe(beef and lamb) with rice and a salad. GREAT!

We got family special for take out. Everything was delicious! But I have to say the meat part was kind of small portion but everything else was plentiful. We want to come back and eat in the restaurant though. read more

Authentic Armenian food. Great customer service. I have tried almost everything on the menu. I usually come in to the restaurant or order take out at least 1-2 times per week and everything is delicious and homey. read more

Way 2 over priced for what they give you. It's not worth it. If the portion matched the price, it would be worth it.

We ordered from Koko's for the first time and we were not disappointed. I ordered the Anta Kali Kebab. This is lule kebab topped with 2 pita breads with a seasoned tomato and onion mixture between them. The meal included rice, pickles, onions and a grilled tomato. Mom had the cheese plate: a large portion of cheese served with cucumber and tomato. We enjoyed our dinner thoroughly. read more

Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant - cheese plate - Middle Eastern Near Me - Van Nuys, California