Fab Hot Dogs' biggest seller is the L.A. street dog which is a bacon-wrapped all-beef hot dog topped with grilled peppers and onions, mayo, mustard, ketchup, jalapenos and fresh tomatoes. Photo credit: Khara Huberman / Staff reporter

The first visual customers will notice when walking into the casual mustard-yellow and ketchup-red themed hot dog stand is its enticing house specialty dogs menu.

Fab Hot Dogs offers 23 house specials, many of which are inspired by regional versions of gourmet meaty wieners in a bun.

The restaurant’s original concept was to have hot dogs from all around the country, such as the Carolina Slaw Dog, which is a steamed all-beef dog topped with chili southern coleslaw and mustard ($4.15), the Kansas City Dog which is a bacon-wrapped all-beef dog topped with BBQ sauce grilled onions and cheddar cheese ($4.15) and its best seller, the L.A. Street Dog ($4.15), which is what I chose.

After one bite from the L.A. street dog, my mouth was confused from the combination of flavors and textures. Even though the soft all-beef dog was wrapped in bacon, I could barely taste it. The combination of yellow mustard, ketchup and jalapeños quickly scorched my mouth, but the mayo and fresh red tomatoes subtly began to cut down the spicy torment. Once the initial hell-in-mouth party was over, the crunchy grilled peppers and onion strips became the focal point. I wish the peppers and onions were more charred and the meal had more mayo to cut down the spice.

Those who stand in line in front of Staples Center to buy a L.A. street dog may also know them as the Danger Dog, Tijuana Dog and Ghetto Dog. Yet there is an important distinction between the street side vendors’ version and Fabs’ L.A. dog: while the dogs bought on the street are often grilled, Fabs makes it a point to fry theirs.
“The reason we fry it is because we want to make sure the bacon is cooked through all the way,” said Joe Fabrocini, owner of Fab Hot Dogs. “A lot of times if you go to those stands downtown, you can unwrap the bacon, and see it is raw on the inside, which isn’t good.”

The family-owned wiener stand offers the free “I Ate It All Card,” which encourages customers to try something new by eating everything on the menu within one year in order to get their face on the “I Ate It All” wall of fame.

“It’s my new life goal to finish the ‘I Ate it All Card,’” said Cody Robinson, a Fabs patron.

Robinson said his next meal will be the Spicy Redneck, which is a bacon-wrapped all-beef dog topped with a fried egg, American cheese with mayo or hot salsa ($4.60). He recommended the Bald Eagle Ripper, with meat made up of pork, beef and semolina flower imported from Northern New Jersey.

According to Fabrocini, this top-quality, East coast-style hot dog with natural casing is fried in vegetable oil, which creates an extra crispy and charred texture, and is topped with homemade spicy mustard relish ($3.50).

“It’s epic meal time,” Robinson said.

4 out of 5 stars

Among the most popular items on O!burger’s menu is their Classic O! burger. The all organic burger contains grass-fed beef, lettuce, tomato, onions, sweet pickles and thousand island dressing, with cheese at an extra cost. Photo credit Tessie Navarro / staff photographer

The concoction of toasted or grilled buns, juicy red tomatoes, freshly cut lettuce, onions, ketchup, mustard and, most importantly, a beef patty, is recognized as the all-American food staple. O!burger accomplishes the savory task in a fresh way: everything they serve is strictly organic and all-natural.

O!burger, a fast food joint in West Hollywood specializes in burgers and American food alike and is one of the few establishments that is part of the green movement, from the dining room to the kitchen.

An organic burger with all-natural features, may sound exclusively like a vegetarian’s (or vegan’s) delight, but the founders’ aim was not discriminative.

With a goal to cater to more than just “a precious few,” co-owners, Andy Soboil and Martha Chang, are introducing organic meals to the public through a fast food service.

Soboil, who once cooked for celebrities like Johnny Carson and other notables, said they wanted to create something “delicious and totally organic for everyone.”

“It is a necessary option (we need to have in fast food),” Soboil said.

The difference between the regular fast  food burger place and O!burger lies in the grass-fed beef, which the owners say can be as lean as skinless chicken.

Other items listed on the menu include hot dogs, veggie burgers, salads, sandwiches, fries, shakes and root beer floats, all which are customizable according to one’s dietary rules or preference of flavor.

According to management, the added ingredients (veggies, sauces, etc) that are part of making the meals fully organic and free of preservatives, chemicals, food coloring and generic modifications. Also, the beef is rich in omega-3, CLA (a fatty acid that may be a potent cancer fighter), vitamins and antioxidants. Plus, they say it has fewer calories.

The crowd’s favorite still remains the classic beef burger, said Evelyn Mojica, manager of O!burger.

The classic O!burger is served on wheat buns with Napa cabbage, crisp sweet pickles, fresh tomatoes, grilled onions, a sauce of choice (thousand island, barbeque, chipotle or ranch), and of course, the grass-fed beef patty.

The scent of the burger itself is mouth-watering and once devoured, a second one is a good choice.

Its healthy approach and unique taste has attracted a circle of celebrity fans and regular customers.

Stars like Jessica Alba, Shawn White, Alicia Silverstone, among others have come in, Mojica said.

The relaxed, casual environment and warm customer service gives the clientele of adults, young and old,  with kids and without, a place to enjoy their meal. The small patio just outside the front door, is also a great spot for a bite.

Customers like Anupama Agarwal, who was visiting from New York said they enjoyed the taste of the organic burgers.

“It was good,” Agarwal said. “It was the first veggie burger I tasted.”

The fast food eatery has been around since 2008 and has been featured in publications such as L.A. Eater, L.A. Weekly, L.A. Times, KTLA News and many others.

Most recently, the sustainability and green footprint of the restaurant were the reasons why it won the “Current Causes” competition on Current TV on April 18, 2011.

O!burger has plunged itself fully into the green movement.

From their recycled plastic cups to the biodegradable sugar cane utensils,  the reclaimed wood on furniture and the orange and lime green lead-free paint on the quaint space’s walls are all part of the founder’s efforts to be an eco-friendly establishment.

The sustainability does not stop there. Recycling plastics and paper is a major part of their waste management. They also use environmental friendly cleaning products.

“I’m very proud of what we do,” Soboil said. “There is a responsibility behind our restaurant (to be green). It is not just money oriented or corporate driven.”

Being totally organic and green has a toll. The burgers are not cheap. They range from $7.99 to $8.99, something that may not be in the price range for some financially stricken college students. The fries ($2.99) and drinks ($1.99-$3.99) are sold separately.

However, having an alternative to the usual fast food place is refreshing. The the meal won’t leave you feeling weighed down, like other restaurant food. The friendly service, which the staff provides, creates a comfortable environment to dine.

When in West Hollywood, trying the organic burger is a must. Your taste buds will definitely appreciate it.

4.5 stars out of 5

8593 Santa Monica Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

(310) 854-0234

Bananamon doesn't mess around...mon.

Love Bananas? Then this is a must try dessert for any occasion. Inspired by TLC’s Buddy Valastro, bananamon is cheap, low in calories and takes under 10 minutes to make. It fits perfectly at a barbecue, Sunday family dinner or as a midnight sugar craving. Let’s get started!

What you will need:

• 2 bananas (still a bit green)
• 2 tablespoon of butter
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• Heavy cream
• French vanilla ice cream
• Caramel (optional)
• 2 tablespoon chopped pecans

1. Chop bananas in a diagonal fashion. In pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped bananas and sprinkle in the cinnamon and cook for one minute. Brown sugar should be added next with a splash of cream. Stir until brown sugar has caramelized.

2. On a plate or in a bowl, scoop out the desired amount of French vanilla ice cream. Take one scoop of bananas in the pan and pour it onto the ice cream. If a sweet tooth needs to be satisfied, top it off with caramel. Add chopped pecans and you could even finish with a nice dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately.

*This recipe serves two people. Double, triple for more deliciousness.

Vegetable Delight is a vegetarian Chinese restaurant located in Granada Hills and is open six days a week. They welcome customers with complimentary hot tea and have been serving cuisine like white steamed rice, crispy spring rolls and their house chow mien for nearly 18 years.

If you’re concerned with healthy habits while eating out, check out Vegetable Delight, the vegetarian restaurant in Granada Hills.

Vegetable Delight is a quiet vegetarian restaurant with vegan options, which includes noodles, soup and several protein substitutions.

Whether you’re conscious of your meat intake or not, it’s worth trying their savory and natural substitutions for fish, chicken, beef and pork. They even have replacements for more exotic foods, like jellyfish and shark fin.

One of the most popular dishes is orange chicken ($7.95 for dinner), which uses deep-fried mushrooms in place of chicken and is covered in a sweet and spicy orange sauce. It tastes very similar to the orange chicken at Panda Express, except with a crunchier outside and a less fatty inside.

The restaurant has an expensive feel, with sea-foam green walls and matching  draping tablecloths. Christmas lights line some of the walls for extra lighting, which contrasts charmingly with the Chinese sculpted ceiling tiles decorated with phoenixes and dragons.

Despite the décor, it’s not too expensive. The lunch specials are $6.95 and the dinners are between $6.95 and $9.95 (and 10 percent off if you mention Yelp), with $0.85 brown rice and complimentary tea.

For those particularly concerned with diets, there are details online about how the food is made and with what ingredients.

The meat substitutes are made from wheat protein, soy protein, tofu, mushrooms, tarro root and/or seaweed. The entire menu is available online as well.

The service was fine and the waiters were kind and patient. Although there was complimentary tea on the table, it was odd that the waiter didn’t automatically bring water to the table until it was requested.

The chow mein and the fish and mushroom dish ($7.95 each) was tasty. The texture of the “fish” was similar to real fish, but the sauce and the soft, juicy mushrooms really made the meal.

Parking is was available in the rear and you must enter throught the back. But in the front, there is a bookshelf with dozens of books on Buddhism, chanting CDs, as well as some brochures and fliers from animal rights groups.

Vegetable Delight has a lot of personality, and is a great option for those looking for a more formal eating experience for a reasonable price.

*****

Tuesday-Sunday 11:30-9:30
17823 Chatsworth St, Granada Hills

Photo credit: Terese Torgersen/ Contributing Reporter

Ladyface Alehouse, located in Agoura Hills, gives its customers the feeling of stepping into a medieval pub.

The restaurant, approximately 30 minutes from CSUN, features old-fashioned photos that decorate the dark walls, and welcomes people of all ages.

Groups filled the crowded restaurant on the Saturday night I went, and the  patrons were mostly adult.

My guest and I were greeted by a pleasant hostess, and waited approximately 10 minutes to be seated.

The level of noise and amount of people created a very warm, comfortable and friendly atmosphere. It’s a perfect place to hang out and grab a drink with friends, as well as enjoy good food that is out of the ordinary.

Ladyface serves food prepared to compliment their beer. The menu recommends a specific beer to each dish. They offer French-Belgian food as well as classic American food.

Main courses consist of different types of fish. Soups are also available as well as sandwiches, locally made pasta, wood-grilled flat bread and salads. The menu changes with the seasons.

They use locally grown products and 100 percent natural ingredients. In addition, the meat does not contain hormones or antibiotics. Different kinds of desserts can be found on the menu, such as pudding, Belgian waffles and crème brulèe.

The service was great. The waiters and waitresses were smiling, friendly and very attentive. They provided us refills and often asked if we had everything we needed.

My guest and I chose to split two main dishes. The first dish was a sausage plate with three different mustards and pretzel bread.

Each sausage had distinctive flavors, and were well seasoned. The three mustard types ranged from spicy to sweet.

In addition, we received a salad with our meal, which was too sour for my taste – but to each his own.

Our other main course was the “grilled free-range chicken.” The dish consisted of beer & rosemary brined, fruitwood-grilled, free-range Jidori chicken, served over grilled polenta.

The chicken was good, but I did not care for the sauce that came with it. My guest enjoyed it, but I felt the sauce destroyed the chicken to an extent. My dish also came with hash browns, which I did not care for.

We shared a crème brulèe for dessert. I enjoyed the popular dessert with its hard glazed surface and a soft creamy bottom.

Prices at Ladyface range from $4 to $17. Our entire meal cost us approximately $40.

While there is plenty of parking, we had trouble finding the restaurant, as it’s partially hidden behind other buildings.

Ladyface also sells other products such as soap, wine glasses and t-shirts with the “Ladyface logo” on them.

They also offer discounts on game days, encouraging people to come watch sporting events in their restaurant.

Photo credit: Christina Toroyan/ Staff Reporter

Great food, light music, comfortable candle lighting, great service and beautiful décor. 1810 Argentinean Restaurant has it all. And they offer it for a fairly reasonable price.

1810 is located in Old Town Pasadena. It’s perfect for a first or second date or even a 15th or 20th wedding anniversary. It’s a great restaurant for couples, a night out with the family or just a place to dine with friends. 1810 welcomes all ages.

I went with my family on a Saturday night, around 7 p.m. We had the choice of indoor and outdoor seating. Because it wasn’t too busy, we choose to sit indoors. However, it does get pretty packed around 8 p.m., so reservations are recommended.

1810 is open for lunch, dinner and happy hour. They also feature a dessert and wine menu, with catering available.

I found their Prix Fixe menu interesting, which I will try next time. The Prix Fixe meals consist of a first course (appetizer-like dishes), second course (the actual entrée) and a third course (dessert),  for a total $23.
This was my first time eating at an Argentinean restaurant, so I didn’t know what to expect.

Stereotypically, Argentineans are big meat eaters, so I expected the entire menu to consist of meat. To my surprise, there was a variety of everything including pasta, seafood, poultry, meat and appetizers.
Overall, the menu was simple; it consisted of only two pages, so the selection process  was not difficult.

A dish of bread with garlic, oil, lemon and parsley spread was a delight to try as we chose our entrees.

My brother tried a grilled beef tenderloin sandwich (Lomito), while my sister had the salmon (Salmon Atlantico) with a glass of Sangria – one of the best I have ever tried at a restaurant. My mom tried the Pollo Champignon which consisted of a breast of chicken with champignon mushroom sauce. My dad tried the Pollo al ajo which is a breast of chicken with caramelized onions and garlic sauce  and a bowl of chicken and vegetable soup. I decided on the ravioli.

The portions were perfect, to say the least. We all finished our plates with ease and didn’t feel as if we were about the burst with the amount of food we ate.

Their location on Colorado Boulevard in Old Town Pasadena is ideal. Colorado Boulevard is the perfect place for  shopping and entertainment to enjoy before dining, with a variety of different clothing, jewelry and shoe stores.

It is also the perfect place to grab ice cream, frozen yogurt or coffee after dinner – if you didn’t eat it at 1810, that is.

The restaurant was named after a meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina from May 22-25 in the year 1810.

The meeting was called “Cabildo abierto” or “open meeting,” a custom in Hispanic cities in case of emergencies or disasters. The Cabildo abierto represented the beginning of the May Revolution in Argentina against the Spanish rule, which eventually gave the country its independence.

In commemoration of this, 1810 Argentinean Restaurant celebrates every May 25 by preparing traditional “criollo” dishes, a patriotic dish.

With all the different elements of food, location and ambience, 1810 is definitely worth trying. You won’t be disappointed.

Photo credit: Leonie Jones, Staff Reporter

When I first walked into Stanley’s Restaurant and Bar, I didn’t know what to expect because I didn’t see very many people. As I started to experience what they had to offer, I soon realized they are one of the best eateries in the Valley.

Stanley’s Restaurant and Bar has been serving the city of Sherman Oaks for more than 20 years. It first opened in 1983 and has been bringing in satisfied customers ever since.

The restaurant is located on Ventura Boulevard, one of the most well known and busiest streets in the Valley.

The décor of the main dining area gives the atmosphere a home-like feeling. Upon entering to the restaurant, there is a welcoming, fully stocked bar and plenty of seating throughout the building.

The most desirable seating area at Stanley’s is their outdoor patio. It has plenty of plants and a water fountain, which gives it a peaceful and quaint feeling.

Although the restaurant is located on a busy street, the noise doesn’t affect the patio dining area.

They have a variety of food options ranging from their famous Chinese chicken salad to burritos.

Even with their ethnic dishes, they still manage to have created their own twist. For example, their burritos are served with curly fries and cob salad instead of tortilla chips.

Their prices are moderate, ranging from $12 and above for main entrees, and most of their appetizers start out around $8.

After being seated, I received an offering of a fresh sourdough bread loaf with butter to enjoy while browsing over the menu. The servers are extremely attentive to the customers. The bread was good, but it wasn’t different from any other sourdough loaf. I didn’t eat too much of the bread because I was excited to taste the Chinese chicken salad.

It only took about five to 10 minutes to get my food. When they placed the salad in front of me, it was not mixed. The server then proceeded to toss the salad together right in front of me, which made it look even more appetizing.

After I started to eat the salad, I realized why it is one of the most popular dishes on the menu. It was delicious and light.

Although there weren’t any outstanding changes to this salad that separated it from other Chinese chicken salads, Stanley’s added their own style to it. They use shredded chicken instead of chicken chunks which makes for a better texture, and their dressing was sweeter than other Chinese chicken salads I’ve tasted.

After having their famous salad, I moved on to the bar and asked for their most popular drink. The bartender offered me a key lime martini. He then told me what was in it. I was surprised when he said it was made with whipped cream, and after tasting it, I could see why it was high in demand. It tasted like lime sherbet; it was a perfect dessert-like drink to have after the salad.

Stanley’s is definitely a spot CSUN students should try. The restaurant also offers valet parking for three dollars, for those who don’t feel like parking on  the busy street.

There are also places to shop on Ventura Boulevard in case you wanted to take a stroll after lunch.

When dining at Stanley’s, you never know who or what you may see since it’s right next door to a recording studio.

According to Annie Eastwood, general manager, celebrities tend to stop by from time to time, including Kim Kardashian.

Photo credit: Natalia Bereznyuk, Staff Photographer

Walking into Porto’s Bakery, one can’t help but become instantly hungry.

My guest and I purchased four mango cheesecakes, four cheese-filled pastries, two sourdough breads that were freshly baked and still warm, four spinach feta croissants and three guava and cheese pastries.

After spending 10 minutes in line, we finally got to the register where our box of pastries awaited us. Although the time spent in line waiting to order can seem lengthy, it’s worth the wait. With an immense variety of puffs, tarts and pies in the display window, the process of deciding what to buy takes time.

Because of the wide selection, Porto’s bakery lets their customers sample their pastries before they place their order.

By the time our coffee was ready and we found a place to sit, I was hungry enough to eat all of the pastries we had bought. However, one of Porto’s large spinach feta croissants helped to satisfy my hunger.

The time spent waiting in line was worth it because the pastries were so fresh, they literally melted inside my mouth.

Porto’s bakery is in a huge building, but it’s not large enough to accommodate all their customers. The line continued outside, and many were forced to find tables along the street.

Chandeliers, cozy ottomans, bar tables with chairs and waiters give an impression of a decent eatery, but it’s hard to relax amongst the constant crowd and noise.

There are two major sections of Porto’s bakery, the café and the bakery itself.

The cafe offers breakfast and lunch with a variety of salads including Porto’s house salad mixed with baby greens, black beans, sliced avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions, with mango vinaigrette, the southwestern grilled chicken salad, or the grilled steak salad.

There are also soups and sandwiches like the Pan con bistec, which is marinated steak, potato sticks, grilled onions, tomatoes, and mojo, a Cuban garlic sauce, on Cuban bread. The medianoche sandwich includes slices of slow roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, butter and mustard-mayonnaise mix on a sweet roll.

There are dinner dishes that are served after 2 p.m., and usually consist of meat or poultry served with rice, black beans, ripened and golden fried plantain slices and grilled onions.

There is a standard list of beverages that the bakery offers, plus signature shakes such as an Eggnog smoothie, served only from November through December, and the Mamey shake that is made of frozen mamey pulp and a house milk blend.

Mamey is a tree native to southern Mexico with a flavor described as a combination of pumpkin, sweet potato, and maraschino cherries.

Porto’s also offers vegetarian foods which includes an assortment of meat-free sandwiches, soups, salads and baked goods.

Porto’s bakery also has a pre-order section where customers can pre-order specialty cakes for weddings or other special events.

After I tried a piece of their exquisite mango cheesecake, I wouldn’t mind ordering a specialty cake for an ordinary occasion. Chocolate grand marnier mousse cake, cappuccino mousse cake, chocolate raspberry cake and lemon mousse cake are only a few options that Porto’s offers.

Porto’s bakery is also affordable for those on a budget. Most salads and sandwiches range from $4 to $8. Pastry prices vary from 99 cents to $3, and full cakes start at $23.

So, if you feel that you want to relax on a Sunday morning with fresh coffee and a freshly baked coconut strudel or strawberry and cheese croissant, then Porto’s bakery is the place for you.

Photo Credit: Terese Torgersen, Contributing Reporter

Walking 10 minutes from CSUN, one can easily find Chi’s Chinese Cuisine. Located on Reseda Boulevard between Plummer Street, and Lassen Street. This small and charming restaurant is a perfect place to eat and relax with friends.

My guest and I went on a Sunday night, to take a short break from midterm cram-sessions.  The entrance to the restaurant is inviting and the atmosphere is enhanced by classical Chinese music.

The color scheme of the restaurant is red and green. Chinese symbols cover the walls and square oriental lamps hang from the ceiling.

The restaurant is easy to locate and there is ample parking opportunities. A friendly waitress greeted us upon entering.

While waiting for our appetizer, we were given crispy noodles with sweet and sour, and hot mustard sauce. The special Chinese mustard sauce was a little too spicy for my taste.

As an appetizer we decided to get har gow, which are steamed shrimp dumplings. We were surprised  when we received our food within 10 minutes of ordering.

The dish was composed of three small wraps, each containing shrimp inside. Not being familiar with this type of dish, I would describe the shrimp as having a rubber-like texture. I found it quite peculiar and different from anything I’ve tasted before, but tasty nonetheless.

Chi’s Chinese Cuisine serves an assortment of appetizers ranging from $2.95 to $9.95. These dishes include traditional Chinese favorites such as dim sum, pot stickers and eggrolls.

Maybe I’m not used to dining Chinese style, but I found it strange that they would give us a fork, without a knife, nevertheless we persevered.

Immediately upon finishing our appetizers, the waitress brought us the two main dishes. We had the garlic chicken, and barbecue pork with snow peas.

I’m a garlic lover, so my expectations were high. Luckily, it was satisfying. It was a very tasty dish. The chicken was juicy and the marinade brought out the flavor. Peppers, onions and rice are all part of the dish.

The second main dish, was not as awesome. The pork was a bit dry, but the barbecue sauce made it taste sweet. Carrots and water chestnuts were included in this dish.

The portions were large, and we had enough food for dinner the next day. That’s never a bad thing.

The main entrees range from $6.55 to $10.55. They offer small and large size options on most of their main entrees.

Chi’s Chinese Cuisine extensive menu offers different types of soups, noodle dishes, fried rice, salads, chicken, beef, seafood and pork.

They also offer an even healthier menu of steamed mixed vegetables, steamed tofu with vegetables, steamed fish fillet with vegetables and a variety of noodle soups.

The service at the restaurant was excellent. Waiters came to our table several times to make sure we had everything we needed. We even received a pot of tea free of charge.

Chi’s Chinese Cuisine offers take out, delivery and catering services. A minimum order of $12 is required for delivery, and they also charge an extra $2 delivery fee.

CSUN students get a 10% discount when they show their student ID card.

Although we enjoyed our meal, we noticed this is not a restaurant for dessert lovers. Chi’s Chinese Cuisine didn’t have a lot of dessert options. This was the only thing that disappointed me.

They had only two different desserts, none of which is ice cream. What is offered is, chocolate almond cookies and sesame balls.

We decided to try the chocolate dipped almond cookies. They were a bit dry, but the chocolate worked its magic. The desserts range from $1.95 to $2.95.

One appetizer, two main dishes, two desserts and drinks came to a total of $20. It is safe to say this is definitely an affordable restaurant.

I would highly recommend the garlic chicken, as this was my favorite dish of the meal. Their steamed dishes are also a big plus for those who like to eat healthy.

Photo credit: Melissa Madrigal, Staff Photographer

Nestled between the small shops on Ventura Boulevard is a blink-and-you-miss-it treasure called Kosher Chicks, whose simple yet authentic dishes are a welcome treat to all food aficianados.

This small family business caters to not one, but two niche markets: the Kosher crowd as well as the all-natural crowd. They pride themselves on the fresh-cut fries, which are never frozen, and bank on the fact that closing for Jewish holidays will keep the clientele they’ve built their business on.

Owned by Sol Shaolian, Kosher Chicks can also satisfy a variety of cravings one may have, serving Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Asian and American flavors that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Although they specialize in dishes such as shwarma and kabobs, there are hamburgers and hot dogs available for those I like to call, “Food Wimps.”

Walking in, the customer is greeted with a casual and clean atmosphere, thanks to the subtle yellow walls and the big brown booths that line the wall. Large and vibrant photos of food hang on the walls, and will make you consider photographing your own meal and making it art.

Customers filter in and out of the restaurant, while music from The Shins and Ryan Adams plays in the background. The restaurant feels modern, yet warm and welcoming. It is the ideal stop for a laid-back lunch or dinner at a price you wouldn’t expect.

The menu offers an array of mouthwatering dishes, all prepared with fresh and natural ingredients. It’s clear that this restaurant does not take shortcuts in their preparation. The small team of chefs works diligently to create authentic dishes. No job is too menial. They even squeeze their own lemon and lime juice daily.

Taking a short tour through the establishment, their commitment to the customer is evident. Everything in the kitchen is Kosher-certified, as is the extra sink outside of the restroom.
The small kitchen, where four chefs prepare the food, includes a large rotisserie oven that cooks multiple chickens at a time. There is also a large ingredients bar where many of the
dishes are seasoned with fresh cilantro, tomatoes or cucumbers.

While there, I tried a first dish with garlic French fries. Anything smothered in garlic is the meal for me. Its simplicity was brilliant. Made from fresh potatoes and tossed with some diced garlic, parsley and sea salt, the French fires didn’t leave me with an awful feeling that their oil content was going to lead to a quick heart attack.

After, came the hummus and pita bread, garnished with olives and herbs. Anyone who thinks store-bought hummus is as good as it gets, doesn’t know what they’re missing until they try the freshly made dip at Kosher Chicks. I would have made that my entire meal if I hadn’t ordered other dishes already.

Next was the Israeli salad, which was a light mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley in olive oil and lemon juice. It tasted light, crisp and acted as the perfect palette cleanser, paving the way for my entrée.

For the main dish, I ordered the falafel wrap. The perfectly seasoned falafel was wrapped in an airy lavash bread spread with the restaurant’s own hummus. It included mixed lettuce, tomatoes and a cilantro-lime dressing. It was filling, without being heavy, flavorful, without being overwhelming, and absolutely delicious.

The portions are big, meaning if you can stop yourself from inhaling it all in one sitting, you’ll probably have a little left over to make another satisfying meal. Even after my abnormally large lunch, I didn’t feel sluggish, and avoided the need to unbutton my pants from overeating.

Whether it was the natural ingredients, or just a case of mind over matter, I left the restaurant feeling strangely healthy. Maybe Kosher Chicks is on to something with this whole “natural foods thing.” I may have to go back for a second delectable meal, just to be sure.