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'''Zankou Chicken''' is a small, family-owned chain of [[Armenia]]n and Mediterranean [[fast casual restaurant]]s located in the [[Los Angeles]] |
'''Zankou Chicken''' is a small, family-owned chain of [[Armenia]]n and Mediterranean [[fast casual restaurant]]s located in the [[Los Angeles]] area. The restaurants are especially known for their [[Rotisserie chicken|spit-roasted chicken]], [[shawarma]], [[falafel]], [[tahini]], and a "secret" [[Toum|garlic sauce]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://laist.com/2007/11/27/fast_food_that.php|title=Fast Food that Will Still Respect You in the Morning|last=Thompson|first=Elise|website=LAist|access-date=2016-04-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316112834/http://laist.com/2007/11/27/fast_food_that.php|archive-date=2016-03-16}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The first Zankou Chicken opened in 1962 in the [[Bourj Hammoud]] neighborhood of [[Beirut]], Lebanon, by [[Armenians|Armenian]] Vartkes Iskenderian and his family.<ref name="LAmagApril2008">{{Cite |
The first Zankou Chicken opened in 1962 in the [[Bourj Hammoud]] neighborhood of [[Beirut]], Lebanon, by [[Armenians|Armenian]] Vartkes Iskenderian and his family.<ref name="LAmagApril2008">{{Cite magazine| last=Arax|first=Mark|title=The Zankou Chicken Murders |magazine=[[Los Angeles Magazine]]|pages=124–129, 202–206|date=April 2008|url=https://lamag.com/.amp/crimeinla/the-zankou-chicken-murders}}</ref> |
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The chain was established within the United States in 1983 by his son, Mardiros Iskenderian, after the family immigrated to [[Los Angeles, California]]. After considering opening a dry cleaning business or selling men's suits, Iskenderian recognized a lack of restaurants catering to the growing Middle Eastern immigrant population in Los Angeles.<ref name="LAmagApril2008"/> This included Armenian and Lebanese compatriots who fled Lebanon during the [[Lebanese Civil War|civil war]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcet.org/food/iconic-neighborhood-restaurants-east-hollywood-little-armenia|title=Iconic Neighborhood Restaurants: East Hollywood & Little Armenia|website=KCET|date=30 November 2015|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref> |
The chain was established within the United States in 1983 by his son, Mardiros Iskenderian, after the family immigrated to [[Los Angeles, California]]. After considering opening a dry cleaning business or selling men's suits, Iskenderian recognized a lack of restaurants catering to the growing Middle Eastern immigrant population in Los Angeles.<ref name="LAmagApril2008"/> This included Armenian and Lebanese compatriots who fled Lebanon during the [[Lebanese Civil War|civil war]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcet.org/food/iconic-neighborhood-restaurants-east-hollywood-little-armenia|title=Iconic Neighborhood Restaurants: East Hollywood & Little Armenia|website=KCET|date=30 November 2015|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref> |
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In 1991, the family agreed to divide the business when Mardiros wanted to open additional restaurants. The new restaurants would be owned by Mardiros, while the original Sunset and Normandie store would be owned by his parents and two sisters.<ref name="LAmagApril2008"/> Vartkes Iskenderian died in 1992.<ref name="LAT20100318"/> |
In 1991, the family agreed to divide the business when Mardiros wanted to open additional restaurants. The new restaurants would be owned by Mardiros, while the original Sunset and Normandie store would be owned by his parents and two sisters.<ref name="LAmagApril2008"/> Vartkes Iskenderian died in 1992.<ref name="LAT20100318"/> |
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Since opening, Zankou Chicken has expanded and includes the following locations in the [[Greater Los Angeles area|greater Los Angeles]] area: [[East Hollywood]], [[ |
Since opening, Zankou Chicken has expanded and includes the following locations in the [[Greater Los Angeles area|greater Los Angeles]] area: [[East Hollywood]], [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], [[West Los Angeles]], [[Burbank, California|Burbank]], [[Glendale, California|Glendale]], [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], [[Toluca Lake, Los Angeles|Toluca Lake]], [[Van Nuys, Los Angeles|Van Nuys]], [[Montebello, California|Montebello]], [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]], [[Huntington Beach]], and [[Santa Clarita, California|Santa Clarita]].<ref name="LAT20100318"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://zankouchicken.com/#findzankou|title=Zankou Chicken {{!}} Roasted Chicken, Shawerma, Tarna, and our legendary Garlic Sauce|website=Zankou Chicken|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-27}}</ref> (The original location and Montebello locations are not listed on the website; Rita Iskenderian owns the website and doesn't include them.)<ref name="LAT20100318" /> |
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On January 14, 2003, after a heated argument, Zankou Chicken owner Mardiros Iskenderian shot and killed his sister, Dzovig Marjik, and his mother Margarit Iskenderian; he then killed himself in a double-murder suicide. Iskenderian was in the late stages of colon and brain cancer, which is believed to have had an effect on his mental faculties.<ref name="LAmagApril2008"/><ref>{{cite web |
On January 14, 2003, after a heated argument, Zankou Chicken owner Mardiros Iskenderian shot and killed his sister, Dzovig Marjik, and his mother Margarit Iskenderian; he then killed himself in a double-murder suicide. Iskenderian was in the late stages of colon and brain cancer, which is believed to have had an effect on his mental faculties.<ref name="LAmagApril2008"/><ref>{{cite web |
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* In the 2009 Film ''[[Funny People]]'' Seth Rogen can be seen wearing a Zankou Chicken shirt |
* In the 2009 Film ''[[Funny People]]'' Seth Rogen can be seen wearing a Zankou Chicken shirt |
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* The Comedy Podcast [[Dungeons and Daddies]] made a referencial joke about a Kenku calling it a “Kankou Chicken” |
* The Comedy Podcast [[Dungeons and Daddies]] made a referencial joke about a Kenku calling it a “Kankou Chicken” |
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* In 2004, the California Institute of Technology ultimate frisbee team wore yellow Zankou shirts as their uniform in a college tournament. |
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* In the TV series [[Upload (TV series)|Upload]] (2023, Season 3, Episode 4), the two main protagonists are flown to San Francisco in a drone-operated delivery container for Zankou Chicken. |
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* There is a Doughboys Podcast episode about Zankou Chicken with special guest Jason Mantzoukas. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Category:Lebanese restaurants]] |
[[Category:Lebanese restaurants]] |
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[[Category:Lebanese-American culture in California]] |
[[Category:Lebanese-American culture in California]] |
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[[Category:Middle Eastern |
[[Category:Middle Eastern restaurants]] |
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[[Category:Middle Eastern-American culture in Los Angeles]] |
[[Category:Middle Eastern-American culture in Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:Restaurants established in 1962]] |
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1962]] |
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Tarna plate at Zankou Chicken
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Company type | Private |
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Industry | Casual dining restaurant |
Founded | 1962; 62 years ago (1962)inBeirut, Lebanon |
Founder | Vartkes Iskenderian |
Headquarters |
,
U.S.
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Number of locations | 12 |
Area served | Los Angeles metropolitan area |
Website | zankouchicken |
Zankou Chicken is a small, family-owned chain of Armenian and Mediterranean fast casual restaurants located in the Los Angeles area. The restaurants are especially known for their spit-roasted chicken, shawarma, falafel, tahini, and a "secret" garlic sauce.[1]
The first Zankou Chicken opened in 1962 in the Bourj Hammoud neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon, by Armenian Vartkes Iskenderian and his family.[2]
The chain was established within the United States in 1983 by his son, Mardiros Iskenderian, after the family immigrated to Los Angeles, California. After considering opening a dry cleaning business or selling men's suits, Iskenderian recognized a lack of restaurants catering to the growing Middle Eastern immigrant population in Los Angeles.[2] This included Armenian and Lebanese compatriots who fled Lebanon during the civil war.[3]
The first restaurant in Los Angeles opened in an East Hollywood neighborhood called Little Armenia[4] and is located at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Normandie Avenue. The restaurant is especially known for its thick, paste-like garlic sauce, created by Vartkes' wife, Markrid[5][6] and widely imitated.[7]
In 1991, the family agreed to divide the business when Mardiros wanted to open additional restaurants. The new restaurants would be owned by Mardiros, while the original Sunset and Normandie store would be owned by his parents and two sisters.[2] Vartkes Iskenderian died in 1992.[5]
Since opening, Zankou Chicken has expanded and includes the following locations in the greater Los Angeles area: East Hollywood, Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Toluca Lake, Van Nuys, Montebello, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, and Santa Clarita.[5][8] (The original location and Montebello locations are not listed on the website; Rita Iskenderian owns the website and doesn't include them.)[5]
On January 14, 2003, after a heated argument, Zankou Chicken owner Mardiros Iskenderian shot and killed his sister, Dzovig Marjik, and his mother Margarit Iskenderian; he then killed himself in a double-murder suicide. Iskenderian was in the late stages of colon and brain cancer, which is believed to have had an effect on his mental faculties.[2][9][10] The repercussions of this event, and the lasting division of the brand into two family factions, impeded the continuing growth of the business despite the restaurants' popularity.[5] In the California Court of Appeal case Iskenderian v. Iskenderian,[6] Mardiros Iskenderian's widow Rita unsuccessfully sought to attain sole control of the Zankou Chicken trademark.
In 2013, Zankou Chicken was one of the contributors for Green Armenia, which brings attention to environmental problems faced by the people of Armenia.[11]
34°05′54″N 118°18′01″W / 34.09839°N 118.300266°W / 34.09839; -118.300266