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{{Short description|California based fast casual restaurant chain}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Zankou Chicken
| name = Zankou Chicken
| logo =
| logo = Zankou Chicken logo.png
| logo_caption =
| logo_caption =
| image = File:ZankouChickenPlate.jpg
| image = ZankouChickenPlate.jpg
| image_caption = Tarna plate at Zankou Chicken
| image_caption = Tarna plate at Zankou Chicken
| trading_name =
| trading_name =
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| industry = [[Types of restaurant#Casual dining|Casual dining restaurant]]
| industry = [[Types of restaurant#Casual dining|Casual dining restaurant]]
| fate =
| fate =
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1962}} in [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1962}} in [[Beirut]], Lebanon
| founder = Vartkes Iskenderian
| founder = Vartkes Iskenderian
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
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| area_served = [[Los Angeles metropolitan area]]
| area_served = [[Los Angeles metropolitan area]]
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| homepage = {{URL|http://zankouchicken.com/}} {{URL|https://zankouchicken.la/}}
| homepage = {{URL|http://zankouchicken.com/}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| bodystyle =
| bodystyle =
}}
}}


'''Zankou Chicken''' is a small, family-owned chain of [[Armenia]]n and Mediterranean [[fast casual restaurant]]s located in the [[Los Angeles]] neighborhood of [[Little Armenia, Los Angeles|Little Armenia]]. 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>
'''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>


==History==
==History==
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 news | last = Arax | first = Mark | title = The Zankou Chicken Murders | newspaper = [[Los Angeles Magazine]] | pages = 124–129, 202–206 | date = April 2008 }}</ref>
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>


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|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>


The first restaurant in Los Angeles opened in an [[East Hollywood, Los Angeles|East Hollywood]] neighborhood called [[Little Armenia, Los Angeles|Little Armenia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://laist.com/news/neighborhood-pr|title=Neighborhood Project: Little Armenia|date=Jul 10, 2007|website=LAist|accessdate=May 1, 2021}}</ref> 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<ref name="LAT20100318">{{cite news | first=Darrell | last=Satzman | title=Zankou Chicken's tragic family rift impedes chain's growth | date=March 18, 2010 | url =https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-zankou18-2010mar18,0,573630.story | work =[[Los Angeles Times]] | access-date = 2010-03-18 }}</ref><ref name="CA4th"/> and widely imitated.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sakai |first=Shuji |url=http://www.ocweekly.com/restaurants/zankous-garlic-sauce-clone-6611754 |title=Zankou's Garlic Sauce Clone |work=[[OC Weekly]] |date=February 9, 2011 |access-date=2016-04-27 }}</ref>
The first restaurant in Los Angeles opened in an [[East Hollywood, Los Angeles|East Hollywood]] neighborhood called [[Little Armenia, Los Angeles|Little Armenia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://laist.com/news/neighborhood-pr|title=Neighborhood Project: Little Armenia|date=Jul 10, 2007|website=LAist|accessdate=May 1, 2021}}</ref> 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<ref name="LAT20100318">{{cite news | first=Darrell | last=Satzman | title=Zankou Chicken's tragic family rift impedes chain's growth | date=March 18, 2010 | url =https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-zankou18-2010mar18,0,573630.story | work =[[Los Angeles Times]] | access-date = 2010-03-18 }}</ref><ref name="CA4th"/> and widely imitated.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sakai |first=Shuji |url=http://www.ocweekly.com/restaurants/zankous-garlic-sauce-clone-6611754 |title=Zankou's Garlic Sauce Clone |work=[[OC Weekly]] |date=February 9, 2011 |access-date=2016-04-27 }}</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"/>


Since opening, Zankou Chicken has expanded and includes the following locations in the [[Greater Los Angeles area|greater Los Angeles]] area: [[East Hollywood]], [[West Hollywood, California|West 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 [[Valencia, California|Valencia]].<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" />
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" />


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 took his own life 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
| url = http://www.laexaminer.com/mt/archives/week_2003_01_12.html | title = LA EXAMINER: JANUARY 12, 2003 - JANUARY 18, 2003 ARCHIVES | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060221083551/http://www.laexaminer.com/mt/archives/week_2003_01_12.html | archive-date = 2006-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Andrew | last=Blankstein |author2=Michael Krikorian | title= Restaurant Family's Tragedy: Cancer and stress may be why the operator of Zankou Chicken killed his sister and mother. | date=January 16, 2003 | url =https://articles.latimes.com/2003/jan/16/local/me-zankou16 | work =[[Los Angeles Times]] | access-date = 2010-03-18 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="LAT20100318"/>
| url = http://www.laexaminer.com/mt/archives/week_2003_01_12.html | title = LA Examiner: January 12–18, 2003 Archives | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060221083551/http://www.laexaminer.com/mt/archives/week_2003_01_12.html | archive-date = 2006-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Andrew | last=Blankstein |author2=Michael Krikorian | title= Restaurant Family's Tragedy: Cancer and stress may be why the operator of Zankou Chicken killed his sister and mother. | date=January 16, 2003 | url =https://articles.latimes.com/2003/jan/16/local/me-zankou16 | work =[[Los Angeles Times]] | access-date = 2010-03-18 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="LAT20100318"/>
In the California [[Court of Appeal]] case ''Iskenderian v. Iskenderian'',<ref name="CA4th">''Iskenderian v. Iskenderian'', [http://online.ceb.com/calcases/CA4/144CA4t1162.htm 144 Cal. App. 4th 1162] (2006)</ref> Mardiros Iskenderian's widow Rita unsuccessfully sought to attain sole control of the Zankou Chicken trademark.
In the California [[Court of Appeal]] case ''Iskenderian v. Iskenderian'',<ref name="CA4th">''Iskenderian v. Iskenderian'', [http://online.ceb.com/calcases/CA4/144CA4t1162.htm 144 Cal. App. 4th 1162] (2006)</ref> Mardiros Iskenderian's widow Rita unsuccessfully sought to attain sole control of the Zankou Chicken trademark.


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==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
*The restaurant was mentioned by [[Beck]] (rhyming "Zankou chicken" with "ripe for the pickin'") in his song "[[Debra (song)|Debra]]", from the album ''[[Midnite Vultures]]''.<ref name="LAT20100318"/><ref>Deborah Picker, [http://www.laweekly.com/1999-12-23/news/preppie-living-wage/2/ "Preppie Living Wage: Ménage À Garlic Paste"], ''[[LA Weekly]]'', December 23, 1999.</ref><ref>Janelle Brown, [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/20/dining/valet-parking-that-s-so-2000-in-los-angeles-strip-mall-food-is-way-cool.html "Valet Parking? That's So 2000. In Los Angeles, Strip Mall Food Is Way Cool"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 20, 2003.</ref>
* The restaurant was mentioned by [[Beck]] (rhyming "Zankou chicken" with "ripe for the pickin'") in his song "[[Debra (song)|Debra]]", from the album ''[[Midnite Vultures]]''.<ref name="LAT20100318"/><ref>Deborah Picker, [http://www.laweekly.com/1999-12-23/news/preppie-living-wage/2/ "Preppie Living Wage: Ménage À Garlic Paste"], ''[[LA Weekly]]'', December 23, 1999.</ref><ref>Janelle Brown, [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/20/dining/valet-parking-that-s-so-2000-in-los-angeles-strip-mall-food-is-way-cool.html "Valet Parking? That's So 2000. In Los Angeles, Strip Mall Food Is Way Cool"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 20, 2003.</ref>
*The music video for [[Childish Gambino]]'s song "Sober" from his EP ''[[STN MTN / Kauai|Kauai]]'' was filmed in the original Hollywood location.
* The music video for [[Childish Gambino]]'s song "Sober" from his EP ''[[STN MTN / Kauai|Kauai]]'' was filmed in the original Hollywood location.
*A Zankou Chicken location is mentioned as a wayfinding point as part of driving directions given in the Saturday Night Live sketch [[Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 2011–12#The Californians|"The Californians"]] (in "Stuart Has Cancer")
* A Zankou Chicken location is mentioned as a wayfinding point as part of driving directions given in the Saturday Night Live sketch [[Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 2011–12#The Californians|"The Californians"]] (in "Stuart Has Cancer")
*Zankou Chicken inspired a fictional Palestinian chicken restaurant in ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', so good that "it could end the rift in the Middle East".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://laist.com/2011/08/03/any_fans_of_curb_your.php|title='Curb Your Enthusiasm' Gives Not Subtle Shout Out to Zankou Chicken|last=Ogilvie|first=Jessica P.|website=LAist|access-date=2016-04-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407111047/http://laist.com/2011/08/03/any_fans_of_curb_your.php|archive-date=2016-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2011/08/jonathan_gold_palestinian_chic.php|title=Palestinian Chicken Conflict: Only in Curb Your Enthusiasm or Is It Real?|last=Gold|first=Jonathan|website=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>
* Zankou Chicken inspired a fictional Palestinian chicken restaurant in ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', so good that "it could end the rift in the Middle East".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://laist.com/2011/08/03/any_fans_of_curb_your.php|title='Curb Your Enthusiasm' Gives Not Subtle Shout Out to Zankou Chicken|last=Ogilvie|first=Jessica P.|website=LAist|access-date=2016-04-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407111047/http://laist.com/2011/08/03/any_fans_of_curb_your.php|archive-date=2016-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2011/08/jonathan_gold_palestinian_chic.php|title=Palestinian Chicken Conflict: Only in Curb Your Enthusiasm or Is It Real?|last=Gold|first=Jonathan|website=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>
*[[Marti Noxon]], who co-produced ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', called Zankou Chicken one of her "go-to" take out spots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tv-producer-artisanal-grain-guru-700358|title=TV Producer and Artisanal Grain Guru Marti Noxon Takes THR's Taste Test|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>
* [[Marti Noxon]], who co-produced ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', called Zankou Chicken one of her "go-to" take out spots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tv-producer-artisanal-grain-guru-700358|title=TV Producer and Artisanal Grain Guru Marti Noxon Takes THR's Taste Test|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=30 April 2014|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>
*Zankou Chicken is a subject in [[Rob Delaney (comedian)|Rob Delaney]]'s book ''Mother. Wife. Sister''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/rob-delaney-emmother-wife-sister-human-warrior-fal-105059|title=Rob Delaney: Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage.|website=www.avclub.com|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>
* Zankou Chicken is a subject in [[Rob Delaney (comedian)|Rob Delaney]]'s book ''Mother. Wife. Sister''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/rob-delaney-emmother-wife-sister-human-warrior-fal-105059|title=Rob Delaney: Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage.|website=www.avclub.com|date=4 November 2013 |access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>
*[[Adam Richman]] of ''[[Man v. Food]]'' called Zankou Chicken a "can't miss".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/local-best-food-vacation-natives-article-1.949653|title=Follow the locals for the best food on vacation|website=NY Daily News|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>
* [[Adam Richman]] of ''[[Man v. Food]]'' called Zankou Chicken a "can't miss".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/local-best-food-vacation-natives-article-1.949653|title=Follow the locals for the best food on vacation|website=NY Daily News|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>
*The Zankou Chicken Murders were featured in the 32nd episode of "[[My Favorite Murder]]"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/independent-content-provider/my-favorite-murder/e/46167544|title=My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark - 32 - Just The 32 Of Us|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>
* The Zankou Chicken Murders were featured in the 32nd episode of "[[My Favorite Murder]]"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/independent-content-provider/my-favorite-murder/e/46167544|title=My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark – 32 – Just The 32 Of Us|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>
* In the TV series [[Bosch (TV series)|Bosch]] (2016, Season 3, Episode 5, at 31 minutes), Detective Jerry Edgar offers a bag of food from Zankou Chicken to Harry Bosch, as a peace offering
* In the 2009 Film ''[[Funny People]]'' Seth Rogen can be seen wearing a Zankou Chicken shirt
* The Comedy Podcast [[Dungeons and Daddies]] made a referencial joke about a Kenku calling it a “Kankou Chicken”
* In 2004, the California Institute of Technology ultimate frisbee team wore yellow Zankou shirts as their uniform in a college tournament.
* 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.
* There is a Doughboys Podcast episode about Zankou Chicken with special guest Jason Mantzoukas.


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.zankouchicken.com Zankou Chicken Official Site] - 9 Locations: Anaheim, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Toluca Lake, Valencia, Van Nuys, West Hollywood, W. Los Angeles
* [http://www.zankouchicken.com Zankou Chicken Official Site] – 9 Locations: Anaheim, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Toluca Lake, Valencia, Van Nuys, West Hollywood, W. Los Angeles
*[https://www.zankouchicken.la/ Zankou Chicken Official Site] - 3 Locations: Hollywood, Tarzana, Granada Hills
* [https://www.zankouchicken.la/ Zankou Chicken Official Site] – 3 Locations: Hollywood, Tarzana, Granada Hills
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{{Establishments serving chicken}}
{{Establishments serving chicken}}
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[[Category:Armenian-American culture in California]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Lebanon]]
[[Category:Armenian cuisine]]
[[Category:Armenian cuisine]]
[[Category:Armenian-American culture in California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Lebanese-American culture in California]]
[[Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants]]
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[[Category:Family-owned companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Lebanese restaurants]]
[[Category:Lebanese restaurants]]
[[Category:Middle Eastern-American culture in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lebanese-American culture in California]]
[[Category:Middle Eastern cuisine]]
[[Category:Middle Eastern cuisine]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Middle Eastern-American culture in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1962]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1962]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Lebanon]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants]]
[[Category:Culture of Los Angeles]]
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[[Category:Family-owned companies of the United States]]

Revision as of 19:18, 23 April 2024

Zankou Chicken
Company typePrivate
IndustryCasual dining restaurant
Founded1962; 62 years ago (1962) in Beirut, Lebanon
FounderVartkes Iskenderian
Headquarters
Vernon, California
,
U.S.
Number of locations
12
Area served
Los Angeles metropolitan area
Websitezankouchicken.com

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]

History

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]

In popular culture

  • The restaurant was mentioned by Beck (rhyming "Zankou chicken" with "ripe for the pickin'") in his song "Debra", from the album Midnite Vultures.[5][12][13]
  • The music video for Childish Gambino's song "Sober" from his EP Kauai was filmed in the original Hollywood location.
  • A Zankou Chicken location is mentioned as a wayfinding point as part of driving directions given in the Saturday Night Live sketch "The Californians" (in "Stuart Has Cancer")
  • Zankou Chicken inspired a fictional Palestinian chicken restaurant in Curb Your Enthusiasm, so good that "it could end the rift in the Middle East".[14][15]
  • Marti Noxon, who co-produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer, called Zankou Chicken one of her "go-to" take out spots.[16]
  • Zankou Chicken is a subject in Rob Delaney's book Mother. Wife. Sister.[17]
  • Adam Richman of Man v. Food called Zankou Chicken a "can't miss".[18]
  • The Zankou Chicken Murders were featured in the 32nd episode of "My Favorite Murder"[19]
  • In the TV series Bosch (2016, Season 3, Episode 5, at 31 minutes), Detective Jerry Edgar offers a bag of food from Zankou Chicken to Harry Bosch, as a peace offering
  • In the 2009 Film Funny People Seth Rogen can be seen wearing a Zankou Chicken shirt
  • The Comedy Podcast Dungeons and Daddies made a referencial joke about a Kenku calling it a “Kankou Chicken”
  • In 2004, the California Institute of Technology ultimate frisbee team wore yellow Zankou shirts as their uniform in a college tournament.
  • In the 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.
  • There is a Doughboys Podcast episode about Zankou Chicken with special guest Jason Mantzoukas.

See also

References

  1. ^ Thompson, Elise. "Fast Food that Will Still Respect You in the Morning". LAist. Archived from the original on 2016-03-16. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  2. ^ a b c d Arax, Mark (April 2008). "The Zankou Chicken Murders". Los Angeles Magazine. pp. 124–129, 202–206.
  3. ^ "Iconic Neighborhood Restaurants: East Hollywood & Little Armenia". KCET. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  4. ^ "Neighborhood Project: Little Armenia". LAist. Jul 10, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Satzman, Darrell (March 18, 2010). "Zankou Chicken's tragic family rift impedes chain's growth". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
  6. ^ a b Iskenderian v. Iskenderian, 144 Cal. App. 4th 1162 (2006)
  7. ^ Sakai, Shuji (February 9, 2011). "Zankou's Garlic Sauce Clone". OC Weekly. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  8. ^ "Zankou Chicken | Roasted Chicken, Shawerma, Tarna, and our legendary Garlic Sauce". Zankou Chicken. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  9. ^ "LA Examiner: January 12–18, 2003 Archives". Archived from the original on 2006-02-21.
  10. ^ Blankstein, Andrew; Michael Krikorian (January 16, 2003). "Restaurant Family's Tragedy: Cancer and stress may be why the operator of Zankou Chicken killed his sister and mother". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
  11. ^ "Green Armenia Inaugural Event a Big Success". Asbarez.com. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  12. ^ Deborah Picker, "Preppie Living Wage: Ménage À Garlic Paste", LA Weekly, December 23, 1999.
  13. ^ Janelle Brown, "Valet Parking? That's So 2000. In Los Angeles, Strip Mall Food Is Way Cool", The New York Times, August 20, 2003.
  14. ^ Ogilvie, Jessica P. "'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Gives Not Subtle Shout Out to Zankou Chicken". LAist. Archived from the original on 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  15. ^ Gold, Jonathan. "Palestinian Chicken Conflict: Only in Curb Your Enthusiasm or Is It Real?". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  16. ^ "TV Producer and Artisanal Grain Guru Marti Noxon Takes THR's Taste Test". The Hollywood Reporter. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  17. ^ "Rob Delaney: Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage". www.avclub.com. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  18. ^ "Follow the locals for the best food on vacation". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  19. ^ "My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark – 32 – Just The 32 Of Us". Retrieved 2018-07-30.

External links

34°05′54″N 118°18′01″W / 34.09839°N 118.300266°W / 34.09839; -118.300266

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