I’d already been wanting to try this when Debra came out, so for over 20 years. Finally came across the one at Sunset & Normandie last Saturday night, they were closing so nothing available but a shwarma wrap, which was not great except for the toum, which lived up to its reputation.
On my way home on the 5 the next day I stopped at the one in Valencia for lunch. If I’ve had better rotisserie chicken it was in Italy. Turnip pickles good. Tomatoes meh. Pita acceptable. Hummus was too bland until I added some toum, then it was good.
If I lived near one I’d have their toum in the fridge all the time. Contrary to widespread belief I’m pretty sure there’s no potato in it.
Warrior: There is a new location downtown. It is remarkably well-managed, a well-oiled machine. I actually prefer the falafel and tabbouleh to any of the chicken offerings, but everything at Zankou is solid. It will be popular for lunch if and when the Westsiders get over their Covid phobia and get back to work downtown. If you’re bored sometime, read the sordid history of Zankou Chicken. I view it as a core part of the LA dining fabric.
Pretty much only crappy birds for the last eleven years. They are a staple for second meals when a shoot goes over twelve hours. A lot of dry chicken during that time. Even the toum doesn’t help.
I’ll take the lemon garlic rotisserie chicken from Gelson’s EVERY time over Zankous. Always so juicy and tasty and quite the bargain at like $10 for the whole bird.
Thanks to @Dommy I learned about Trader Joe’s garlic spread which is just as good for me. A tub of that when I make my own roasted chicken or get somewhere else and I’m good to go.
Warrior: Zankou is an LA institution that I can get behind. Everything is decent quality. Today’s chicken kabob, falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, tahini spread, garlic sauce, and basmati rice were all solid. Zankou isn’t in the running for best Lebanese / Armenian in town, but I see nothing to complain about. I want to give the DTLA staff credit. In multiple visits, I’ve been impressed by their cheerfulness, diligence, and can-do attitude. They are exceptional, and it means a lot.
Peony: I enjoyed the food in the new DTLA Zankou Chicken location a lot. The chicken was very tender and moist. The falafel has good texture. I also like their tahini sauce, which is quite flavorful.
