10/7/11 7:40 pm - just got to kokos. Plenty of parking in the lot. Waiting for everyone yo show up. Apparently we got reservations. Interesting for such a small joint. Oh shit they got karaoke in here! Nice jazz music. I think I walked in with Norah jones playing. Smells like a pho joint in here. 7:42 pm - friendly staff just offered to move our party to the bigger table once the loud older party leaves. I told her we were a cozy bunch. 7:43 pm - and there goes the Norah jones in favor of the classic middle eastern pop music. 7:44 pm - nice pickled veggie plate. I think the waitress feels sorry for me because I look like I'm being stood up. Or she's trying to flirt. Ill roll with the former. 7:45 pm - finally they're here! 7:49 pm - lots of choices here. Chris pointed out that the breast of chicken kabob comes with a whopping 12 pieces! Here today are Chris, susanch, Kenny, daf, dro, and lance bass. 7:55 pm - it's the lule and beef combo plate for me with fries instead of rice (I was assured that there would be enough rice for the table). Meanwhile wengot some brave guys trying to eat the jalapeños straight up. Good luck gentlemen. 7:59 pm - dro has thoroughly mixed the hummus and I'm underwhelmed. Warm pitas tho. Babaganhoush is ok. Garlic spread is spicy! 8:06 pm - fries are nice and hot. 8:17 pm - foods here! Big ass portions. It's like the claim jumpers of Mediterranean places. Lule and rice are pretty bomb. Beef is good too. I prefer lule. Dro wants me to note the food silence surrounding the table. Susans lamb is really good. Better than beef. 8:24 pm - got goaded into eating the jalapeño. Pretty spicy. Mouth is on fire. One slice of jalapeño and the lips are burning. 8:29 pm - here comes the house mandolin player. 8:36 pm - for a place that closes at 9, with the mandolin player and all these new customers, this place just became popping. 8:41 pm - one thing I noticed is that everyone here is a dude except for our group and the waitresses. 8:44 pm - here come the baklava. Mmm. Delish. 8:46 pm - overall this was a good spot. A worthy entrant in our valley dinner spot competition and definitely in the running to place. read more

The boy is from Cyprus, so he is extremely picky about Mediterranean food. But of course, he is always craving a taste of food from home. We were at my parents' house and decided to stop here for lunch. I was so happy to finally get to eat Koubbe again. In Cyprus, it's called koupes, and it is also called kibbe/kibbeh in other Middle Eastern countries. But when I went to visit Cyprus with the boy, I fell in love with koupes because it's fried dough with meat. What's not good about that? And I never thought I would have koupes again. So when we saw koubbe on the menu, we had to order it. It was delicious, because it was not dried out or heavy. It was perfect with a few squeeze of lemons. The boy is especially picky with his kebabs. But he said the lamb kebab was perfectly seasoned. I was too happy eating koubbe to notice all the other food. But I did enjoy the fatoush salad, which has a nice pita chip/croutons. I would definitely come back here again just for the koubbe. read more

Seriously I wonder how many people don't know about this place. The beef tartar is to die for. What sucks is that they don't have alcohol.

I've run by Koko's a few times, and last night after meeting with the Lake Balboa runners at the Birmingham High School track, I decided to stop in and pick up dinner on my way home. I was helped by a man, who I'm assuming is the owner or manager, he was very helpful and recommended I try a combo of the filet mignon and chicken, as well as an appetizer to feed two people. The food was awesome! The filet mignon and the chicken were perfectly seasoned and cooked, and the baba ganoush was delicious, as was the warmed pita type bread. I don't know what they did to the rice, and I don't care, I could eat it every day it was SO good. The combo also came with a healthy amount of picked items, garlic sauce, and deliciously marinated onions. Definitely the perfect amount of food for two hungry people! I'm excited to come in with my beau and try some new things I saw on the menu, as I wasn't feeling so adventurous after running. The total came to $21 for the combo and the baba ganoush, which the beau and I agreed was definitely fair. I'll be back Koko's, thanks for the yummy food!!! read more

Best lamb chops ever! Great flavor, juicy,tender and the portions are large. If you're in the mood for lamb chops, this is the place to go.

I would give them more stars if I could , amazing food, and meal quality,excellent customer service, the owner is always present, and wants to make sure you're one hundred percent satisfied, keep up the great work. read more

Been coming here for a very very very long time. The food has always been good; however, the place needs a real make-over. That is the only reason why i only visit with my closest friends because it really isnt a place to bring someone that you are trying to impress. Only reason why i didn't rate them 5 star. read more

Five stars are not enough for this place...I've been there more than ten times I could never complain about their delicious food amazing service and very nice environment...I recommend this place highly... PS:this place is under new management since 2009 so any reviews before that has nothing to do with them... read more

This restaurant is in a very small shopping mall. It's a Very clean and a cozy place to eat. The staff are very friendly. Food is amazing .

Tried to give this place a 3rd chance, called them from the car while i was in woodland hills, called to place a take out order and the man said one sec please, therefore I waited 5 seconds, I ended up waiting 7 minutes, I drove past the restauarant while I was still on hold "for a sec" might I add..I got from woodland hills to van nuys at 6pm while on hold for 7mins trying to order take out. Sad to say, but this place is slowly going down the drain. It is not accpetable customer service..Your food is 5 stars but your customer serivce to me today was 0. read more

Best sausage (sujuk or irishgid) ever. The kebob is also really good plus the owners are the nicest people ever. read more

Great place if you want enjoy really middle east food. Very times we came over food was fresh and place looks very clean I highly tecommend this place read more

Thank you Koko's You guys are the best. The most delicious Middle Eastern and Armenian food in the West Valley. The service is top notch, very humble and genuine. Please visit them soon! You will be hooked. read more

Love love love this place! I always order more than I want and never regret it. All the flavors are classic and it has a decent atmosphere. They also have a custard dessert too good to resist. read more

The food here is actually really good. I ordered a combo beef and lamb shish kabob plate. Both of the meats were full of flavor and very tender. Served with pita and healthy portion of fluffy rice. Mixed the onions and the rice and my deal was delicious. My only gripe was that they charge a dollar for garlic sauce. I already paid 15 dollars for my plate, an extra dollar for sauce comes off to me as a money grab. Unfortunately that is enough for me to probably not come back. read more

One of the best places for Armenian Syrian and Middle Eastern food in town. Everything is amazing especially there chi-kiftah (Middle Eastern version of steak tartar). read more

I eat here frequently and really recommend everybody in the Valley should stop by and try out this place one the best Middle Eastern food must must try read more

My dinner at Shaherzad on the west side inspired me to find a middle eastern restaurant for lunch near by office in Northridge. Koko's was a great choice for lunch. Ordered Khash Khash Kebab. Grilled blend of ground lamb & beef and spices served over tomatoes and onions. The dish is freshly prepared to order, but as I was ordering lunch it would have been helpful to know the preparation would take 20+ min. The wait was worth it as I thoroughly enjoyed my freshly prepared meal. read more

This place offers great middle eastern food with great taste. The staff is friendly and I liked the peace and quiet there. read more

Lucky for me my parents decided to try Koko's, since it is so close to our house. Ever since then we are devote regulars. The kabobs are excellent. Yes the prices are a little hight, but you get what you pay for and that is great food! The portions are so big that if everyone in my family orders one dish we can have the leftover for dinner the next night, so when you think about it that way it is not very expensive at all. My favorite thing on the menu is the koubbe! You have to try it- yummy! read more

Oh Koko's how do I begin. Well let me just say the people that work and own this place has really out done themselves. It's true middle eastern food done very well. I grew up with some close middle eastern friends and have come to love their food and culture. Koko's food is just wonderful and has a great home cooked taste. Everything is hugely portioned and doesn't lack in flavor at all. For bigger groups things are served more family style which I love. Just remember bring a breath mint because once you taste that garlic dip/paste of holiness you won't stop eating it. People tend to steer close to familiar when they first come here so I will suggest getting the Chicken kabob. ( I prefer dark meat) It is so tender and juicy, you can't go wrong. But What Iv'e really come to love is their whole pan fried fish. It's too die for. And that buttery rice, it's just yum! read more

Went here after a day of work, ordered chicken kebab and minced lamb and minced beef kebab and frog legs and a mixed humus plate. Pros: Chicken was great, my friend loved the beef and the humus was great. Friendly service. Cons: out of lamb BUT my friend got filet mignon instead and he loved it. I didn't like the way the frog leg was prepared to me it was too lemony. Overall good experience ! Will go back. read more

Ok. I came to this place after seeing such high stars and positive reviews here on Yelp. The decor is basic, the service was good, the prices were somewhat high (for the amount of food you get), but the food was actually pretty good (good food makes up for little issues). The rice was very good, basic but very full of flavor. I had some beek kabob beek shish kabob combo and was somewhat suprised when the food arrived and I had a plate full of onions, 2 kabobs, and 2 shish kabobs, and 1 poached tomato, a couple of pitas. Not much when you see it. But it was all pretty flavorful and I ate the whole plate of rice to fill up. I was still hungry so I ordered some cheese boreg, kind of like a deep fried cheese wanton. They were ok, but a little greasy. All in all, good food, small portions, horribly medium/high prices. read more

Really lovely. A circa 1980s decor in a tiny little shopping center that I never would have noticed otherwise. Perfect lunch place if you imagine lunch to happen on a discarded set from the filming of something like Fried Green Tomatoes. They do not *serve* fried green tomatoes, though the Armenian fare they do serve was absolutely DELICIOUS, even for this girl who was raised on middle eastern foods and can be a bit critical of dishes that don't taste anything like my dear mother's. I had the shish kebab brochettes of lamb meat sandwich. $6 for lean, delicately spiced meat in a pita wrap with tomatoes and sauteed onions. A bit dry thanks to the complete omission of sauce on the sandwich, but the waitress was kind enough to bring me a small dollop of labne to schmear on the thing. I used some of our Armenian Salad to fill in the missing moisture. None of this seems to be an ounce of effort considering how properly prepared the lamb was. As for the salad, it was good. A bit acidic. I would have loved a dollop of the labne on that, too. But I am one of the biggest fans of labne, which is the thickest yogurt ever invented - more like the consistency of cream cheese but with a sour tinge of yogurtish deliciosa. The labne at Koko's was five star without a doubt. I could have eaten a bowl of it with a spoon. My lunchmate ordered the chicken breast sandwich, which he seemed to like and looked pretty delish to me. He also had a chunk of the lamb from my sandwich and claimed it was the best lamb he'd ever eaten (and he's not a big fan of lamb). Our waitress was probably 19 and didn't care one way or another. I'm writing this off to the impetuous dissatisfaction of youth. I lament that I didn't have room to try the Ashta Arabic Custard. Perhaps I will order it *first* when I go next time. Well done, thanks for making delicious Middle Eastern food magically appear out of nowhere! read more

This place is so good. Came on a Saturday night and was turned away because we didn't have a reservation and they were full. Got smart this time and came on a Sunday afternoon - after calling and reserving a table. We were the only ones in the place - clearly beating the church crowd. We started with the boureg which is fried dough with cheese goodness. We also got the kibeh - so tasty mini football shaped meatball like deliciousness. Grape leaves too. The spouse and I shared the meat kabob dish with the tomato soaked bread. The name escapes me but it was delicious and the rice pilaf was different but still yummy. Definitely will look for an excuse to come back! read more

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

Yum Yum Yum! Great Food and very warm and friendly service. Went for my best friends birthday and really enjoyed all of the family style food. It's family owned and run and I recommend it! The decor could use a little facelift- But who cares when your tastebuds are dancing with joy. read more

Tip: if you are dining at lunch time, get the sandwiches. They are amazing value for $7 and with quality meat and more than sufficient portion size. I actually ordered the plate (arayas -Maria). The plates are $13-14 per plate, which is a premium for this location and compared to other establishments. My arayas plate was laden with oil so I couldn't taste much. You can get a much better tasting and cheaper arayas plate at Jerusalem restaurant (inside Vallarta market). Granted the meat there is not of the same quality, but at least I want overwhelmed with grease. The meat was good quality in the plates my coworkers got, but not wort the price from what I heard. And the ambience or service wasn't much to justify the steeply higher price. Maybe if I end up going there again, will order something else and update this review. read more

Koko's I like very very much!! Spending time in Athens Greece when I kid this place reminds me of that! I always order the chicken and lamb/hamburger meat sticks with delicious Rice and Humus and pita bread My Favorite! They have friendly staff and amazzzzing food!!! Clean inside...Gotta check this place-you won't be disappointed! read more

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

It was delicious the best Middle Eastern restaurant I ever eat and also the service was perfect, for me it's very difficult to eat in restaurant because I have allergies to onions, but here they take care and take it seriously and even make for me special appetizers without onions ! Thank you very much I will definitely come again read more

This is probably my favorite chicken kabob place!! Excellent food!! I have come here for many years now and the food never disappoints

Darn tasty... Kebab combo for lunch.... Simple... Honest... Great grill flavors... read more

I know maybe a half star harsh..... It's been some time when I had eaten hear...Maybe 3 years ago. So adjust the post date back 3+ years. Food was great!, but something about the inside feel that isn't cozy or private, or welcoming, or more like all of those things keep me from returning. For some reason it is a cafeteria feel. I remember where we sat...Right in front of the "cashier" stand .....And for the prices, you just don't get a dining experience. BUT, you do get great food as if it was served at your mamma's or granmamma's house. With that though, granmamma's, never billed us $80 for 3 ppl at lunch. If it had the service, and inside dine feel, I think it would get close to 5 stars from me, and the price would be go over easier. Lets face it....the rent is not anywhere of a prime spot, there is no decor overhead, and service is..well, a bit on the "bank teller window" style. Having said the above. Likely some of the best tasting authentic food in the valley. So my stars go to overall dine experience, food does get 4.5 to 5 stars. I just need to get myself to go again so I can confirm my food grading :-) read more

Absolutely delicious food! If you're not familiar with middle eastern fare this place could be a little adventurous, but you won't be disappointed. I went during lunch and the place was practically empty so the server gave me a lot of attention and help with the menu so I could find something I would enjoy. I went with the Anta Kali Kebab (lule kebab with topped roasted pita bread). It came with pickled vegetables, a large plate of rice, onion and parsley, a barbecued tomato, and a plate of radishes and a jalapeño pepper. I dug in and could only finish half of my meal (I saved the rest to bring home to the wife so she could try it too). The service, taste of the food, and overall atmosphere was awesome. Highly recommend. read more

Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant - Anta Kali Kebab entree (lule kebab with topped roasted pita bread) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Van Nuys, California

Great customer service amazing food family run business really truly delicious food once you go there you will be hooked

Everysingle plate is worth everysingle penny! This is the best middle eastern restaurant in LA! Don't you ever hesitate to try!

Food is fantastic, simply delicious, everything I've had. Been coming here for years and usually get our food to-go. One less star because recently we've totally noticed they're skimming on the quantity. Also, either they forgot or no longer give the turnips with our order, so ask for it. read more

First time Trying this place. I got the lunch special (Meat and Chicken Kabobs)food was well prepared and well seasoned. I will be ordering from here often. Lunch special came with bread, pickled vegetables and humus. All my office staff enjoyed it very much. read more

Ohhhhhh man, ohhhhh man. If you haven't been to KoKo's and tried their chequefta, then you don't know what you are missing out on! Quality of food is beyond amazing! Prices are very fair. The service is always great. Forget about going to other Armenian restaurants, it's all a show and they don't deliver quality. Take the drive, take good friends and enjoy this place. read more

Excellent middle eastern food. This is as good as it gets. Variety excellent Quality excellent Prices excellent Parking good. I have been there 2 times already and Plan to return. read more

The food wasn't special, the prices aren't great and I got sick after eating here, no joke.. I would not be going back and I do not recommend. read more