I understand you have to raise prices... Since they were raised I have only been back once, this evening. I use to stop in once a week. Now I am greeted with a tip at the register. So bad enough you raise prices, I hate places that do this to make me feel guilty by not tipping. I understand waitresses are paid less, and delivery drivers have to use their car, but I hate being asked to tip for take out food for employees who are already getting a wage. Probably the last time I go back, just can't afford it as a single guy for a single meal. I also stopped going to other places that want me to tip with that damn machine. read more

TLDR; great Mediterranean food, gives pretty big portions. Do not miss out on the garlic sauce and do a split order of the chicken tarna and tri tip shawarma plate! I remember coming here in high school and enjoying the food and I wanted to introduce it to my friends. There's a small lot in the back and plenty of street parking in front of the restaurant. Most of us got the same thing...a split plate of chicken tarna and tri tip shawarma. With each plate, they give you 2 pita bread, tomatoes, onions, pickled radishes (?), hummus, tahini sauce and garlic sauce. ASK FOR EXTRA GARLIC. You'll be happy you did. Food came out pretty fast but there wasn't a lot of people there anyways. The meat was kind of dry but had flavor. I would eat the meat with at least one of the sauces so it didn't really bother me that it was kind of dry. Would come back again! They're pretty generous with the portions so my order lasted two meals. Definitely worth it! read more

Zankou Chicken - Split plate of tri tip and chicken tarna - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

Long time customer here. Review is kind of for all of it rolled into one. FOOD: Rotisserie chicken is really flavorful but there were times it was kind of dry. When it's juicy however, it's the best. It doesn't taste like anywhere else. Kabobs on the other hand are always amazingly juicy. The white meat chicken is unbelievably tender and we always request the beef medium rare. I love the grilled tomato the plate comes with (sometimes they forget it so ask if it's missing). Shawarma and Tarna was a huge surprise. It's looks dry but it's not. The seasoning/marinade has a ton of flavor and if you order the plate, it comes with a huge mound of meat. All the sides are fresh and tasty. We always ask to substitute the cucumber salad for tabbouleh. The tahini sauce is great too and I love using it as a dip. The garlic sauce is something I never thought I'd like but over time it has become a sort of mild addiction. I'll go through maybe half to one per meal but I've known people that practically drink it. Baklava was ok. Not the best I've had but had to try it once anyways. They serve fresh brewed Mighty Leaf Tea iced tea on "tap." It's a great premium tea brand I used to order online. Really good and unlimited refills when dining in. SERVICE: Everyone is so friendly and sweet here. Some employees have been here for a long time too. One of them still remembers my husband from 20+ years ago when he used to go to school nearby. AMBIANCE: It's like an old McDonalds inside and sometimes it gets super cold. Basically you're just there to eat and go, and it's perfectly functional for that. read more

Mom wanted a break from cooking so I decided to treat the family to some.. Zankou Chicken! I called in and got slightly impatient to have been placed on hold for some time before being able to place my order. An extremely popular restaurant that operates as effectively as they can. There were three lines: one to pay for phone orders, one for in person orders, and a pickup line. Many others, like myself, thought ordering online would make for a faster transaction but nope, there were at least 15 of us in the socially distanced phone order line. I ordered the lule and shish combo which came with a side of hummus, salad, and pita bread. Hungry May basically scarfed down the whole thing and was left feeling pretty thirsty from the rich flavors. Not bad not bad. read more

FLY EGGS !! MAGGOTS Orders for delivery through Uber eats today April 29 2023 and to say Im discussed is the least of it . Food was sealed properly with the red zankou sticker they put for online orders nothing open so I know nothing could have gotten in the bag. But when opening the kabob plate I found that there were fly eggs on the rice. It's so disgusting to think that I could have eaten that. Makes me wonder how clean is this location. read more

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We have always love this restaurant. A popular restaurant in Pasadena, very old style. So do not expect fancy seating and service. They got a small parking at their back (about 10, maybe). You have to enter in a small alley. But it fill up pretty fast. So street parking is your better option. It's a counter service fast food restaurant. Some food is a lot faster than others. I love their kabob. But one time I have to wait for 30 minutes for the take out because they cook fresh every time. Most of the time, I don't have that 30 minutes to waste. But other food item, like their chicken, or plates like chicken tarna or tritip don't have a long wait time. All the food are already cook and ready. I love their hummus with pita, I can just have a whole meal with their hummus. And make sure that you ask for their garlic sauce, perfect match with their chicken. They are basically busy every day. Some week days night, there will be a long line for ordering. Just be patience. It's worth the wait. read more

Zankou Chicken - Chicken plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Used to be an old standby but I felt on this visit for take out, Zankou has faltered a bit. The service has never been friendly at Pasadena Colorado Blvd location, but this time the service was surly. While the chicken in the tarna wrap was good, the pita came completely soggy and my friend's 1/4 chicken pieces were bland and dry, she said. They also skimped on the pickled turnips and peppers and when we asked for extra garlic sauce, they put tahini in the bag instead. The atmosphere is exactly the same as it has been for 15+ years. I give two stars for the memory of how great Zankou used to be and I know can be again. I hope the workers get paid a decent wage and are trained and motivated to be service-oriented. That would likely go a long way to help get this spot back on track. read more

Love this place! It is so yummy!!!! I've been here once and I'm hooked! Food: 1 chicken kabob plate - say no more!!! It was so freakin delicious. I can't wait to go back and try something new or maybe be a creature of habit this was sooo good, I asked for white meat (they do a mix of white and dark if you don't request anything) the garlic sauce was sooo good too, I can't. Oh and the humans! Ahhh (This plate was 2 servings for me) Service: kind of like a fast food setting because you go up to the register to order. The lady was nice... honestly all I can remember is the food!! Thoughts: dinner time during the week was packed, we waited 25 mins for the order and it was so worth it! Tip: you can share a 2 chicken kabob plate buuut it's so good, you should just get your own that way you have a whole serving for your next feeding!! read more

Zankou Chicken - 1 chicken kabob plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

One of my top choices for pick up during this pandemic period. The garlic sauce is awesome and I like getting the combo platter and the half chicken plate. That's usually enough for 2 meals each for me and my wife. Oddly enough a lot of places serve subpar mediterranean food. I'd consider zankou to be good but not amazing....it's my benchmark for mediterranean food in the area read more

Last night we had to go to Zankou Chicken on Colorado in Pasadena. First, the obvious reason is the great food. We have a weakness for Zankou and all of its mouth watering options. Second, and most importantly for this particular evening, is this location's commitment to trying to make a difference in support of the people of Armenia through humanitarian aid. This is particularly important now as Armenia is fighting in a tragic conflict after attacks by Azerbaijan. Proceeds from the night's sales here in Pasadena will be used in support of armeniafund.org. We ordered our favorites which include the Quarter Dark Meat Chicken Plate and the Chicken Tarna Plate. YUM! The quarter dark meat chicken plate included a rotisserie chicken thigh and leg served with hummus, tomatoes, garlic sauce, pickled turnips and pita bread. The chicken was unbelievably tender and juicy. The hummus had a creamy consistency with wonderful accents of tahini, lemon, and garlic whipped into the garbanzo base. The tomato and pickled turnips were a tasty accompaniment. The garlic sauce was a buttery garlicky flavor festival that was great on the fresh pita bread. The chicken tarna plate had heaps of delicious sliced marinated flame broiled chicken. This was partnered with hummus, tahini, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, pickled turnips, garlic sauce, and fresh pita bread. Oh my goodness! The marinated flame broiled chicken is soooo good. Coupling the chicken with a little tahini or hummus is a marvelous combination. We thoroughly enjoyed our return to Zankou Chicken in Pasadena for its consistently excellent food and were happy to be there on this particular night to help support humanitarian aid for the people of Armenia. read more

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Thank you for being open during COVID, Zankou!! Whenever you can't make a decision for lunch or dinner.. you can never go wrong with Zankou! Ordered for pick up on a Friday and it was ready in a quick 15. If you can't find parking on the street, there's a small parking lot in the back of this restaurant -- right next to the McDonald's. Glad to see the social distancing protocols are in place. There's hand sanitizer, tape on the floor for the 6 feet distancing, and they use plastic wrap for face shields at the register. Love love love the chicken tarna plate and the chicken tarna wrap with extra sides of zankou infamous garlic! I always add a side of 2 pieces of falafel .. trust me on this! Yum! read more

Their chicken is the best ever! I have been going to their LA, Glendale and Pasadena Locations for years now and it is truly the best chicken I ever had! read more

Proud of this business donating all proceeds of sales today to prevent the genocide of Armenians. Great food and exceptional corporate values! read more

Zankou Chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

This used to be my go to place for kabobs & hummus and their Garlic sauce....fuggettaboutit! Bought take out this past Mother's Day and it turned out to be a big headache when I ordered online. The system is flawed (Grub Hub) The manager was a tool! Kept arguing like I was making shit up?! I swear customer service is just about nonexistent these days! The 2 skewer kabob plates used to be $12.99? Try $24.99 now.... Sorry but My Zankou days are over! Talk about price gouging! read more

Not bad for a $20 family meal! Actually totally recommended. Don't forget to ask for extra peppercini on the side. read more

Zankou Chicken - Family Meal - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

My favorite place as always!!!! The rice is Amazing, the steak plate is so good but make sure to ask for well done, you will get the taste of crispness , that's so good tho . read more

Just had the Mediterranean Feast for a small office gathering (~20 people). I put in the order yesterday and the food was ready at the scheduled time. The guy who prepped the order was very professional. In and out in literally less than 5 minutes. No surprise that everyone at the office loved the food. Flavors were spot on. I have never had a bad meal there. If I had to make one criticism, it's the guy/gal who chopped up the chickens. Need more practice! Having said that, the meal still deserves 5 stars. read more

For some reason I've never heard of this place until this year!! I've been twice so far during COVID-19. I got it delivered once and picked it up in person the second time. The 1st time I ordered for delivery on UberEats and got a Quarter White Plate, Baklava, and extra Garlic Sauce. 2nd time I ordered for pickup on DoorDash and got a Family Meal. I picked Mutabbal and Tabbouleh Salad for my sides. I think if you are like me and not too big of an eater, you could share the quarter white plate with another person who doesn't eat too much as well. I did not finish it, but it was sooo good! I just saved it for later in the day. For the family meal, it was equally as good and I got to try 2 sides. They advertise it as serving up to 4 and I believe that's pretty accurate depending on how much y'all eat. My mother who usually doesn't stray away from her Chinese food enjoyed Zankou's as well! When I went to pick up, I parked in the small lot in the back. It's pretty tight back there or you can park on the street. I went in and checked in. Everything was packed already except for the chicken, which they got a fresh one right away and put it in my bag! It wasn't busy when I was there and people were social distancing as they were waiting for their orders. Not sure if it gets packed or busy during different times of the day. read more

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The rotisserie chicken and shawarma are outstanding, but the real kicker is the garlic sauce!

Food poisoning to a Pregnant woman and unborn baby! This was the first time I'd purchased food from this particular location! My daughter who is 9 months pregnant and could have her baby any day decided she was craving this food. I should have gone to the one in Anaheim but, I went here instead and that was a BIG mistake. The food had my daughter throwing up, having diarrhea, dry heaving, and had my son-in-love sick and throwing up as well. This is unacceptable! The food being bad or not thoroughly cooked could have killed my unborn grandchild! The Anaheim location is the better choice if you want to eat clean food! read more

Food is great. I always get it to go, atmosphere not as nice as other places. Parking not easy. Service is good. Order often, great staple.

Back to normal. Best Kebabs in the area and pricing is still reasonable. Highly recommend

All the food was Bomb.com... We ordered the chicken tarna/ shish kabob plate, rotisserie chicken and a side of falafel. The rotisserie chicken was juicy and very flavorful. The plates were also juicy and flavorful. We randomly discovered this spot and what a pleasant surprise. 10 out of 10. read more

I used to adore this place. The Glendale store was my regular location but Pasadena was a common stop for me as well. Unfortunately after my dry sad 1/2 chicken meal that included a measly 3 1/2" pieces of pickles and a whole cup of sad mushy tomatoes and bone dry pita I think I'll think again before coming in. The meal is not worth the price anymore. read more

Food is not tasty, customer service horrible. Young bad people, especially women. Never helpful

Zankou always comes through when you want something healthy and comforting I go for: Shawarma chicken plate, comes with rice salad and hummus Shawarma wrap The wait for food is about 15 minutes even when it's busy. This place can be a lot cleaner, but it isn't filthy.. might just be the building that is kinda old and run down. Parking on the street read more

Order: Whole Rotisserie Chicken Cost: $13 Two people definitely can finish the food and be full with a whole order. I would order a vegetable side (maybe tabooleh salad) with your meal. The rotisserie chicken came with 3 garlic sauces and 4 pitas. The garlic sauce is saltier, more savory, and more flavorful than other Mediterranean places. Overall, it is a solid choice for group meals. Sun's Spotlight: They have a really cool map showing you where all Zankou chicken locations are. read more

Zankou Chicken - Whole rotisserie chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

The tarna chicken is DELISH. HOWEVER!!!! HOWEVER #1, if you ask for extra pita and PAY FOR EXTRA PITA, you darn well better check the bag and ask them to SHOW you the extra pita you paid for. They always 'forget' or somehow it doesn't make it in the bag (why? why is this so hard? other restaurants seem to manage buying 'extras' with no problem, this seems to be such an issue! Maybe they have a "NO EXTRA PITA FOR YOU" attitude? Argh, anyway, when you see you've paid for something and you don't get it, it's a problem. Once is a mistake, but they admit this is a problem for them. Sorry, Zankou, didn't mean to stymie you, by, you know, ordering food! HOWEVER #2, If you're going to order takeout and want anything "on the side" that usually comes with the item (think of the sandwich and you don't want it to get soggy on the way...good luck! You're going to be eating that sandwich dry! Hmmm, maybe I should buy extra tomatoes or extra garlic sauce, errr, nevermind. HOWEVER #3, they send you home with the pickles and chilies in these small tubs that does NOT FIT THE BAG upright! No problem, right? Known issue, right? Solvable, right? I'm not a restaurateur, but clearly it can't be as easy as changing to a clear plastic bag, or getting slightly bigger paper bags, because they haven't done that! Their philosophy seems to be "let's send our customers home with the leaky containers SIDEWAYS in a paper bag that will disintegrate in the car, to as to leave a lasting impression (and smell) in our customers cars for them to to remember us by!" The food itself is great though. read more

Zankou Chicken - why do they pack these things on their SIDES? They always leak A-L-W-A-Y-S! - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

Not this chain... please review with the staff here because the quality is definitely not there. My dogs wouldn't even eat the shish kabob... read more

Zankou Chicken - Burnt meat in the size of a coin - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I don't know what happened, but the customer service has gone downhill. The people working there aren't nice when they take your order. The food is hit or miss now too. I normally order the chicken tarna plate, and the meat is becoming more dry. It's like eating wood chips. It's a good thing there's more places opening up in the area to try. read more

Zankou ranks in my list of top food places that serve great tasting food while being reasonablely/moderately priced. The armenian food tastes great here. Get the rotisserie chicken or beef shwarma as both are excellent and better than most meditteranean restautants. The chicken tarna is decent too. The garlic sauce is killer!!! It's very flavorful without being too overpowering or bitter. I have yet to find a garlic sauce that comes close to being as good as theirs. Hummus is decent. The beef and chicken kebabs are okay, but not great like the other items. Portions are very decent. I eat a lot. You will likely be full or not be able to finish your plate. Only downside are the increasing prices. This place used to be a great cheap eat that was totally worth it. I used to be able to spend about $10 on a meal. Now it's closing in on $20 to eat there. For the best bang for the buck, get a shwarma, tarna or combo plate. read more

Zankou Chicken - Combo beef shwarma and chicken tarna plate with rice and hummus. Very good and filling. Don't forget the garlic sauce! - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California

Most delicious. Always look forward to eating there. The garlic paste is the best. If your looking forward for some shawarma this is the best. read more

This is my second favorite place for Mediterranean food. I loveeeee their chicken kabobs and lule. Their chicken is very tender and juice and so was their lule everything on the plate was freakin delicious you can never go wrong with chicken kabobs/lule. We ordered #16 two different types of meat and of course I got the chicken kabobs and lule because you can't go wrong with chicken and ground beef! It comes with a pickled cucumber salad and hummus. Everything is tasty as is, but it's even better with their GARLIC SAUCE their known for it and it literally goes so well with anything! ypu gotta try it to know! You won't regret it I promise you! Tip: there's a parking lot in the back of Zankou, I didn't know that until my fiancée told me! I typically park on the street because i thought they didn't have a parking lot! But if you can't find street parking try the back! read more

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Came here for lunch after McDonald's was out of the adult meals lol. The chicken family meal was perfect for us to feed 4. There was another half chicken left. The hummus was perfect with the chicken but the GARLIC sauce is still off the hook yummy yum yum. read more

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Was here yesterday, and service was fast even they were pack, food was so yummy, ordered number 16 kebab combo (old-fashioned menu board) not disappoint at all, meat flavors took me to my childhood, the ambiance for dine-in is fine, chairs and tables looks a bit antique but they ok for its purposes, restrooms are locked so don't forget to ask for the code! For sure you will enjoy this place! read more

I've always had such friend counter service on my visits. Just moved 5 minutes away so I thought I'd give this popular local spot a try. Good thing I did! We always get the family meal and an extra kabob plate. Yum! Family meal comes with 2 large sides, pita pack, pickled turnips, and more. It's such a good deal at $23. I really love their basmati rice here. It's so consistently fluffy and fragrant. Definitely two large orders of rice please! Parking lot out back. Thank goodness! read more

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The one in Sherman oaks is great with great customer service and great food. Some other locations may take a long time for orders to be compete read more

Has been consistent the last 20+ years. Never fails. Fresh food always. Orders always filled expeditiously. Thanks

I have only been to this location and multiple times. The garlic spread that usually comes with the meals here is the best I ever had. My go to orders would be the rotisserie chicken or the wraps. Although I'm not the biggest fan of breast meat but don't mind it when I can eat it with the pita, tabbouleh or tahini salad or humus. The place is set up like a cafeteria very casual. The prices are reasonable. The downside I would say is the limited parking. read more

Good food at a good price! Ordered the chicken shawarma plate and it was a pretty hefty amount of food. I loved the pickled vegetables, sauces, and hummus. The reason for my 4 star rating is because I felt the chicken was pretty dry. Despite the chicken being in smaller pieces, it was still pretty difficult to chew, even when adding vegetables or spreads on top. I do want to come back and try their other platters because everything looks amazing! read more

Zankou Chicken - Chicken Shawarma Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Pasadena, California