Between the shadow of the Verdugo Mountains and LA’s eastern sprawl, Glendale is a city of contrasts—Armenian pastry shops set beside American diners, multicultural bistros glowing under neon, and independent chefs writing chapters of the greater San Gabriel Valley food story.
Whether dining under Art Deco chandeliers or on a tree-shaded patio, you’ll find some of LA’s hidden gems right here.
1. Mini Kabob
Often named “#1 on Yelp” for all of LA, this impossibly tiny storefront (just three tables and constant takeout traffic) packs a huge punch.
Father and son work the grill; mother takes orders, seasons rice, and charms everyone who comes in the door.
Their Armenian chicken kabob—marinated all night, grilled to smoky perfection, served over saffron rice with chopped salad and garlic sauce—puts fine dining plates to shame.
The beef lule, lamb chops, and grilled tomatoes earn raves from old-world grandmas and Gen Z foodies alike. Warm, swift service and family pride in every bite.
2. Porto’s Bakery & Café
Cuban comfort and SoCal sunshine blend in this sprawling palace of pastry and savory magic.
Porto’s lines run out the door daily for guava-cheese strudels, potato balls, meat pies, dulce de leche croissants, and crisp Cubano sandwiches loaded with roast pork and house pickles.
Kids chase after pastelitos; elderly couples sip café con leche in sunlit booths. Birthday cakes, graduation platters, and even political rallies trace their roots to Porto’s glass cases and Havana murals.
3. Damascus Falafel
An anchor for Glendale’s Middle Eastern community, Damascus Falafel serves juicy shawarma, neon purple beet hummus, pillowy pita, and beautiful billows of rice-filled grape leaves.
Regulars debate whether the veggie platter or chicken kebab is king—but everyone agrees on crisp fries, hot tea, and baklava to finish.
During Ramadan, the place shimmers with lantern light and late-night feasts; all year, the mood buzzes with gratitude.
4. Foxy’s Restaurant
Foxy’s has been a breakfast and brunch legend since 1964. The unique A-frame, wood-ceilinged dining room is pure retro California.
Locals and commuters load up on chilaquiles, big omelets, banana nut pancakes, fresh-squeezed OJ, and creative lunch wraps.
The coffee is never-ending; the waitresses are swift, sassy, and somehow always in a good mood—even on Sunday rush. Inside or on the shaded patio, this is a “city living room” where regulars have gathered for generations.
5. Din Tai Fung
No “best of Glendale” is complete without this celebrated Taiwanese dumpling house.
Din Tai Fung imports perfectly pleated soup dumplings (xiao long bao), soft pork buns, spicy wontons, hot-and-sour cucumber salad, and wok-tossed noodle dishes that are world-famous.
Tables fill with multi-generational families, couples on date night, and tourists drawn by international acclaim. The open kitchen offers a show as rows of dumpling-makers assemble hundreds by hand.
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