Zankou Chicken

Anybody else a fan of this Armenian chicken fast-food chain?

Their shawarma-style chicken is divine. An LA institution.

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by Anonymousreply 69February 25, 2018 2:24 AM

Never had it but a friend was just talking about how they've gotten stingy with their portions. Much smaller chickens than they used to have, etc.

by Anonymousreply 2February 6, 2017 3:23 AM

Also wasn't there some news on the family a few years ago? Some sort of strange murder?

by Anonymousreply 3February 6, 2017 3:24 AM

Makes me think of this song...

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by Anonymousreply 5February 6, 2017 3:24 AM

This right here is enough to make this a DL favorite thread for discussion:

The Zankou Chicken Murders When the patriarch of the hugely popular fast-food chain killed his mother and sister, then himself, he left behind a family wrestling with fate—and each other

by Anonymousreply 6February 6, 2017 3:25 AM

Mom & Sis's remains were subsequently served as Rotisserie Chicken Plate #7.

by Anonymousreply 7February 6, 2017 3:30 AM

^^ Oh, LA Armenians.. always involved in some shady going-ons.

But they make great chicken! 😜

by Anonymousreply 8February 6, 2017 3:30 AM

♫ Zankou for being a hen ♫ ♫

by Anonymousreply 9February 6, 2017 3:33 AM

I'm planning a trip to LA sometime this week. I've never gone and was thinking of a good place to eat. What would you recommend for a first timer?

Also, R9 is husband material.

by Anonymousreply 10February 6, 2017 3:34 AM

When I say I've never gone, I meant I've never gone to Zankou... been to LA plenty.

by Anonymousreply 11February 6, 2017 3:34 AM

Get #11, the "chicken tarna" plate. Comes with rotisserie shawarma style chicken, veggies, hummus, tahini sauce and their infamous garlic sauce.

Just have breath mints handy after. The garlic sauce is potent.

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by Anonymousreply 12February 6, 2017 3:37 AM

My husband won't let me eat the garlic paste, but it is divine.

I would not make Zankou a food destination if you're visiting LA--there are many other, better places--but it is dependable. My usual is a chicken tarna wrap and tahini salad.

They also just reformulated their falafel and it is outstanding.

by Anonymousreply 13February 6, 2017 4:10 AM

Thank you r4 for posting that article. I loved the way it was written almost like a novel. The whole story could make a great movie or even fictionalized mini series in the right hands. I live in NY and now I have a terrible craving for the garlic sauce after the description.

by Anonymousreply 14February 6, 2017 4:16 AM

You have to try it at least once, like In n' Out.

I remember hearing they were looking to expand to NYC, but it never seemed to have materialized...

by Anonymousreply 15February 6, 2017 4:19 AM

Used to be when I worked around the normandie location. Loved the garlic butter. WTH were those dyed red white things anyway? Jicama with beet juice?

by Anonymousreply 17February 6, 2017 12:35 PM

Those are pickled turnips, R17. Funny wasn't there just a thread sbout turnips here the other day?

by Anonymousreply 18February 6, 2017 5:48 PM

This place has almost gotten too popular for its own good. Long waits on the weekend, but well, the quality is still there. Love the tahini sauce. And if you're not fond of hummus, you can switch it out for muttabal (?), roasted eggplant dip. You can also switch out the standard veggies for tabbouleh.

by Anonymousreply 20February 6, 2017 5:54 PM

How much are the items? Yes, I'm too lazy to look.

by Anonymousreply 22February 6, 2017 11:53 PM

Zankou doesn't list prices on their website-menu, R22, so you're off the hook. ;-)

The Chicken Tarna (shawerma) plate pictured at R12, as well as the Tri-Tip Shawerma Plate, are $11.99 (all plates come with 2 pitas). The half-chicken plate is $11.49. Quarter chicken plates are $7.99-$8.49 (depending white or dark meat). Falafel plate is $8.99. Kabob plates (with rice) range from $10.99 - $12.99, depending number of skewers.

A half chicken, no sides (garlic sauce & pita, only) is $7.49. Whole roasted chicken (no sides, pita/garlic only) is $11.49

Wraps range from $4.99-$7.99, depending whether it's plain chicken, shawerma, falafel, or kabobs. They come with a small side of pickled turnips & peppers.

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by Anonymousreply 23February 7, 2017 2:43 AM

Thanks, R23. I was hoping you had a menu and didn't know that off the top of your head!

by Anonymousreply 24February 7, 2017 2:57 AM

This must be the place that Larry David based an episode on---Palestinian Chicken-- in Curb Your Enthusiasm? But they were Palestinians, not Armenians, obviously.

by Anonymousreply 25February 7, 2017 3:03 AM

You realize that the main ingredient of their garlic sauce is mashed potatoes, right?

by Anonymousreply 26February 7, 2017 4:31 AM

I knew something good had to come from this administration!

by Anonymousreply 27February 7, 2017 4:37 AM

The only day of the year they're closed is the one commemorating the Turkish genocide of the Armenians.

R26, my friend saw the garlic paste being made and there were no potatoes, are you high?

by Anonymousreply 28February 7, 2017 5:32 AM

Oh, well if your friend saw them making it, then that ends the discussion. [rolls eyes]

You are eating mashed potatoes infused with roasted garlic cloves.

by Anonymousreply 29February 7, 2017 5:35 AM

R27, Zankou Chicken has been around for over 50 years.

by Anonymousreply 30February 7, 2017 5:56 AM

I used to love their chicken for years. Then, I did a health binge, went back and got sick because their chicken is rife with grease and salt.

Their hummus and falafel are great!

by Anonymousreply 31February 7, 2017 6:19 AM

Ro Ro's Chicken on Sunset in Hollywood is much better!

by Anonymousreply 32February 7, 2017 6:24 AM

Hah, R24, no! The only price I knew off the top of my head was the Tarna plate, since that's what I get most often.

Beware.... not Zankous are created equal. There is a Zankou in Tarzana , which is not listed among the locations on their official website. Apparently, it's one of locations opened/operated by another member of the family (cousin?), after the whole murder/suicide drama. I do not recommend it. It sucks, compared to other Zankou locations (not to mention about a dozen other middle eastern places in Encino/Tarzana).

I've eaten there several times and was always disappointed (but kept giving them another chance, because it was the closest Zankou, when I moved a few years ago). The roasted chicken & shawerma were often dry; the hummus, mutabbal & tabbouleh were terrible, compared to their other locations. I went once with a Zankou-lover, and he also agreed -- not nearly as good as other locations we'd frequented in the past (Sunset/Normandie, Toluca Lake, Van Nuys)

Then, I learned that the only thing the Tarzana Zankou had in common with the others, was the sign/logo. (and the garlic paste; that always tasted the same)

Now I drive the three extra miles to the Van Nuys location, when I need my Zankou-fix.

by Anonymousreply 33February 7, 2017 6:49 AM

The Zankou in Pasadena is the best. Friendliest staff, largest portions.

by Anonymousreply 34February 7, 2017 7:09 AM

I've never been to that one, R34. I don't get to Pasadena too often.

Sunset/Normandie, Van Nuys & Toluca Lake were the locations I've visited most frequently, depending upon where I lived, and when they all opened. I was totally unaware of the Toluca Lake location, for the first 9-12 months that it was open..... although I lived in Studio City. I was still schlepping to Van Nuys (on auto-pilot). I've been to the Glendale & West L.A. shops, a couple times, while in those areas. They were good..... but I still think the original Sunset/Normandie location is the best, of the all the ones I've tried.

I stopped by there a couple months ago, while in the area. Hadn't been there in about 5 years. I don't know if it was the nostalgia factor (started going there in '85-'86) or what.....but EVERYTHING tasted better. And the Tarna plate was HUGE, they could barely close the container. (Toluca was always the stingiest, in terms of portions, in my experience.....and charged for extra garlic paste/sauce, for a while).

by Anonymousreply 35February 7, 2017 8:12 AM

What a horrible name. Sounds like a fake restaurant name from a TV show.

by Anonymousreply 36February 7, 2017 8:43 AM

R36 probably loves Chick-Fil-A, KFC, and DJT.

by Anonymousreply 37February 7, 2017 9:19 AM

The infamous Zankou garlic sauce.

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by Anonymousreply 39February 7, 2017 9:57 AM

Armenians are very violent

by Anonymousreply 41March 1, 2017 6:05 AM

Open quite late for Los Angeles, too. Sunset/Normandie is open to midnite, a cultural treasure. I don't even eat the chicken, a vegetarian can take a king's feast out of this place what with the hummous, muttabl, babaganoush, falafel, etc. Oh, and stuffed grape leaves, apparently available only at Sunset/Normandie.

by Anonymousreply 42March 1, 2017 12:56 PM

I has never seen this chain before.

by Anonymousreply 44March 27, 2017 6:15 PM

Only in Southern California, R44.. although they were supposed to expand to NYC.

by Anonymousreply 45March 27, 2017 6:18 PM

R45 before or after the murder?

by Anonymousreply 46March 27, 2017 6:28 PM

Before the murder. I think the murder put a damper on the NYC expansion plans.

by Anonymousreply 47March 27, 2017 6:32 PM

Downtown needs a Zankou, badly. And a "Curry in a Hurry" type delicious, huge-portion, cheap Indian joint. DTLA is currently lousy with horrid overpriced, valet-parking, curated-food-experience rat-traps.

by Anonymousreply 48March 29, 2017 7:56 AM

Damn this thread. I miss Zankou from my LA days. Really good stuff. Oh, and, whoever mentioned Curb, yes, this chain was the inspiration for that Curb Your Enthusiasm episode.

by Anonymousreply 49March 29, 2017 8:03 AM

I hate to tell you this, but it's really not chicken.

by Anonymousreply 50March 29, 2017 8:05 AM

Is that the lady who starred with Gale Storm in Oh Susana?

by Anonymousreply 51March 29, 2017 8:11 AM

The patriarch seemed like a nightmare. Families, eh?

by Anonymousreply 52March 29, 2017 8:36 AM

Remember when he fought Piper, Phoebe and Paige?

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by Anonymousreply 53March 29, 2017 8:40 AM

The Curb Your Enthusiasm episode about the delicious chicken. I never heard of the place until this thread and I live in LA (in the suburbs).

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by Anonymousreply 54March 29, 2017 9:32 AM

I love this place, but every middle eastern person I've ever met said it is just so-so.. I guess it's their version of Olive Garden?

by Anonymousreply 56February 10, 2018 6:00 PM

Zanjón Chicken is one of my faves. I usually order the rolled grape leaves. I can eat ten of those in one sitting.

by Anonymousreply 57February 10, 2018 6:07 PM

I’m obsessed with Zankou.

So delicious.

by Anonymousreply 58February 10, 2018 6:18 PM

Damn, I probably shouldn’t tell you guys about this place because it’s wayy fucking better than Zanz. “Gabby’s Mediterranean Grill”........THE FUCKING BEST!!! & Their garlic fluff is way better. I’m not telling you guys where the locations are. Use google. Lol

by Anonymousreply 60February 10, 2018 6:30 PM

[quote]Thank you [R4] for posting that article. I loved the way it was written almost like a novel. The whole story could make a great movie or even fictionalized mini series in the right hands.

I'm emailing Ryan Murphy right now.

Should it be "Armenian Horror Story - Poultry" or "American Crime Story: The Chicken Murders?"

by Anonymousreply 61February 10, 2018 7:09 PM

Found the restaurant on Yelp, R60. Has good reviews!

by Anonymousreply 62February 10, 2018 9:12 PM

r26 - no potato in it at all... just garlic, salt, lemon juice and oil. it's like making mayonnaise

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by Anonymousreply 63February 10, 2018 9:26 PM

^^^oh shit wrong link, that recipe does use potato but Zabcou's does not

by Anonymousreply 64February 10, 2018 9:29 PM

I have heard that is all garlic, salt and vegetable oil, emulsified very slowly in a food processor?

by Anonymousreply 65February 10, 2018 9:31 PM

here's the correct one:

Place raw garlic in a heavy duty blender with the salt and lemon juice. Pour a light layer of oil onto garlic. Puree the garlic, salt lemon juice on high and begin pouring a slow steady stream of the rest of the oil through the blender's handle hole until everything has mixed.

by Anonymousreply 66February 10, 2018 9:31 PM

I loooove the chicken shawarma at Zankou. There are three Zankous in the vicinity, but they're all 4 miles from my house.

Funny how you mention Ryan Murphy and AHS. In the first season, there was an Armenian character named Joe Eskandarian. Eskandarian is a variant of Iskenderian, the name of the founder of Zankou.

by Anonymousreply 67February 11, 2018 12:14 AM

I need some Zankou today.

by Anonymousreply 68February 11, 2018 10:57 PM

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