Zankou Chicken — Restaurant in Huntington Beach

The food is worth driving an hour in traffic for. I’m not nearby, nor do I work in the area, but when I really want the best shawarma- Zankou is the best at it.

I can’t say that other restaurants who tout shawarma as an offering are lying or not authentic. It’s accurate to the region/country of that restaurant and then, I have to factor each family will have its own recipe. Does any one cornbread or meatloaf or pasta taste the same, in spite of authenticity? That said, no place to date, no matter what region or family or spin has come close to beating zankou at the kabab, lule (basically a ground beef kabab), or chicken tarna (the most popular) or beef or full chicken as Zankou has…

Their recipes are top notch Basmati rice top notch Tabouli ton notch. Tabouli is a fine parsley salad that for some reason or another is hit or miss in any Mediterranean cuisine. Having the perfect ratio of parsley, tomato, onion, and cucumber, and the right amount (substantial and also essential: seasoning (lemon, salt, oil), are keys to the success, along with the very fine chop.

Hummus- great Mutabal - an eggplant version of hummus (my favorite) and they make it outstanding

The wraps are great, if it’s your first time, get a falafal wrap and get a beef, chicken tarna, lule or kabab plate it tastes great days later and it’s easier than driving back for more. lol. 😂

This particular location is outdated in terms of scenery inside. It wouldn’t hurt them to upgrade it- it looks the same way as it did when I was a kid- so 20 years later is a good time to bring it up to date.

Finally, while ordering ahead is probably smarter if you are ordering for lunch, but it’s more pricey. To be expected because of operation costs/wages etc. just bear this in mind. On a normal day: not busy but not slow, takes about 15 minutes (ordering directly from the cashier to your name being called).

Well worth your money. You can use any left overs and store it for the week. Make a salad dressing out of the extra tahini or use it for other sandwiches. Fresh ingredients. Shawarma may never be the same anywhere...

I go cuckoo for Zankou

Zankou Chicken, famous for their Mediterranean rotisserie chicken &, most especially, their toum (garlic sauce), now has a brand-spanking new location in Huntington Beach. Having visited their Little Armenia & Anaheim locations, the food has always been on point. The ambiance? Not so much. Now, in Huntington Beach, there's a Zankou that's pristine, modern & hip, but serving the same delicious food we've come to love.

Falafel- Crisp & fresh from the fryer, Zankou's falafel is a great starter, especially when dipped in tahini.

Combo kabob plate- With a wait of approximately 15 minutes, the shish & chicken combo kabob plate was definitely worth it. Both proteins were moist, tender &, when slathered in toum, irresistible. The creamy hummus, bright cucumber salad, fluffy basmati rice & grilled tomato/onions rounded out a satisfying entree.

Service was good. Plenty of staff on hand to handle the workload. Ample seating, both inside & al fresco. Zankou Chicken is located on the right of Boudin SF, across from Panda Express at the Five Points Center.

Don't like Zankou? Shish, you've got to be kidding me? You must be an awful falafel! Zankou Chicken HB has all the great food in a modern setting. Go with the tried & true chicken, or choose their shawerma or lule. Whatever you decide upon, their entire menu is packed w/...

Summary: delicious chicken kabob, friendly staff, spacious indoor dining space, would come back

I visited Zankou Chicken after my friends insisted on trying some delicious Mediterranean food after our outdoor walk. Without a doubt, the Chicken Kabob dish I ordered left a lasting impression. It came with a combination of basmati rice, onions, hummus, garlic sauce, two pitas, and a side of salad (I opted for cabbage instead of cucumber). As a first-timer with hummus, I was blown away by its deliciousness, and the portion they served was quite generous. The basmati rice was cooked to perfection -- not too dry. Unfortunately, the cabbage salad was too sour for my taste.

The real star of the show, however, was the chicken kabob. Juicy, flavorful, and incredibly tender, it elevated the entire dish and made it a truly satisfying meal.

I appreciated the attentiveness and helpfulness of the staff. They gladly addressed my questions regarding substitutions and patiently guided me through the ordering process. Their excellent service added to the overall positive experience.

The dining space indoors was spacious and comfortable, providing a pleasant environment to enjoy the meal. Additionally, for those who prefer outdoor seating, they also had a few...