Tag Archives: Armenian Restaurants Los Angeles

A Perfect 10

San Bousek
Although its name sounds more like a hotel room number than a restaurant serving some of the best Lebanese delicacies this side of Beirut, 10e is the upscale Lebanese-Armenian eatery that LA has been waiting for. It’s surprisingly not located in either of the Armenian meccas of Glendale or East Hollywood, but rather in the heart of Downtown LA in a space that feels like a Middle Eastern palace with ornate vaulted ceilings. The lighting is dim and there is live music every night; perfect for a romantic dinner with your sweetheart or a clandestine assignation with a mysterious stranger — take your pick.

The food is impressive. The puffy and hot-out-of-the-oven Lebanese bread is mouth-wateringly excellent, especially when paired with the Hummus or Labne Yogurt Dip. I recommend starting your meal with some Mante (Armenian Beef Dumplings with Garlic Yogurt Sauce and Sumac), San Bousek (deep fried Puff Pastries stuffed with Ground Beef and Pine Nuts; pictured above) or Beef Fried Kibbeh (made with Bulgar and Onions).

You’ll probably want some veggies after all of that fried goodness, so I would order a Fattoush Salad with Purslane, Romaine, Cucumber, Tomato, Radish, Mint, Pita Chips, Sumac, Lemon and Olive Oil. From there, I suggest getting an order of the perfectly seasoned and grilled Lamb Chops with Za’atar, Roasted Pepper Sauce and Parsley Sauce. Dessert of course is Baklava covered in sweet syrup; the perfect ending to your Middle Eastern feast.

10e is located at 811 W 7th Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

Yogurt Dip

Yogurt Dip

Puffy Lebanese Bread

Puffy Lebanese Bread

Kibbeh Nayyeh (Steak Tartar with Bulgur, Onion Parsley and Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Kibbeh Nayyeh (Steak Tartar with Bulgur, Onion Parsley and Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Beef Fried Kibbeh with Ground Beef, Bulgur, Onion, Pine Nuts and Greek Yogurt

Beef Fried Kibbeh with Ground Beef, Bulgur, Onion, Pine Nuts and Greek Yogurt

Vegetarian Flatbread with Eggplant, Basi, Cherry Tomato, Roasted Pepper, Kalamata Olives, Kashkaval Cheese, Mushroom and Avocado

Vegetarian Flatbread with Eggplant, Basi, Cherry Tomato, Roasted Pepper, Kalamata Olives, Kashkaval Cheese, Mushroom and Avocado

Fattoush Salad

Fattoush Salad

Chicken Lule Kebab with Grilled Pita, Red Onion, Parsley and Sumac Garlic Toum; served with Salad and Rice

Chicken Lule Kebab with Grilled Pita, Red Onion, Parsley and Sumac Garlic Toum; served with Salad and Rice

Lamb Chops

Lamb Chops with Za’atar, Roasted Pepper Sauce and Parsley Sauce

Feels very Middle Eastern inside

Feels like a Middle Eastern palace with ornate vaulted ceilings

In the heart of Downtown

In the heart of Downtown

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Your Armenian Mama’s Kitchen

Beef Luleh Kabob
Nestled on a residential side street a few blocks from The Americana and Glendale Galleria, Mini Kabob is a little mom and pop shop that serves some of the best Armenian food in the city.  To say it’s a hole in the wall would be an understatement. It has three small tables and you feel as if you’re eating in the kitchen of your grandmother or favorite aunt while she cooks for you.  Ugly upholstered chairs and a dreary oil painting on the wall add to the charm of this hidden gem.

The restaurant is run by “Mama” Alla and “Papa” Hovik, a friendly immigrant couple from Yerevan, Armenia.  Mama does the cooking in the open kitchen and Papa works front of the house.  Everything Mama makes is delicious.  Your meal starts with amazing homemade hummus served with Armenian lavash bread.  There are several choices of kabobs including beef, pork and beef luleh (ground beef), but the best is the chicken.  Expertly seasoned and grilled, topped with onions and parsley, and served with basmati rice, a charred tomato and spicy pepper, and a side of garlic sauce, the juicy chicken shish kabob is pure perfection. You can wash it all down with an Armenian mineral water or a tarragon or pear soda.

Mini Kabob is located at 313 Vine St. in Glendale. It’s cash only.

Hummus and Armenian Lavash Bread

Hummus and Armenian Lavash Bread


Combination Plate with Chicken Shish Kabob, Pork Shish Kabob and Chicken Luleh Kabob

Combination Plate with Chicken Shish Kabob, Pork Shish Kabob and Chicken Luleh Kabob


Garlic Sauce

Garlic Sauce


Vegetable Cake (special order)

Vegetable Cake (special order)


Jermuk Mineral Water

Jermuk Mineral Water


Alla and Hovik

Alla and Hovik


A tiny hole in the wall...with great food.

Walking distance from The Americana and Glendale Galleria


Not fancy

A tiny hole in the wall..with great food



Mini Kabob on Urbanspoon

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