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Kokos Mediterranean Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Kokos Mediterranean Cafe
8.4
This family-owned gem has been a Pasadena institution for over 20 years, serving authentic Armenian-Lebanese cuisine with lightning-fast service. The owner Koko personally ensures quality in every shawarma wrap and kebab plate, while locals line up for the legendary garlic sauce.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Kebab Plate, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Homemade Garlic Sauce
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: The garlic sauce locals dream about between visits
Who should go: Office workers seeking authentic quick lunch
When to visit: Weekday lunch before noon rush
What to order: Lamb kebab, chicken shawarma, extra garlic sauce
Insider tip: Ask to swap salad for hummus or tabbouleh
Kokos Mediterranean Cafe
8.3
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family-owned lunch counter serving flame-grilled kebabs and classic mezze with legendary garlic sauce since the early 2000s. Lightning-fast service draws office workers who line up for generous portions at budget-friendly prices, with cooking happening right as you pay.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken & Beef Kebab Combo, Lamb Kebab Plate, Garlic Sauce
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Blazing-fast service with food ready before you finish paying
Who should go: Office workers seeking quality Mediterranean on lunch breaks
When to visit: Weekday lunch (expect lines but they move quickly)
What to order: Mixed kebab plate, extra garlic sauce, lamb skewers
Insider tip: Ask to swap the salad for extra hummus or tabouleh
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Colorado Blvd and side streets - metered during business hours, free evenings/weekends. Small public lot half block east.
Dress code: Ultra casual - work attire, gym clothes, anything goes. This is a no-frills lunch counter.
Noise level: Moderate to high - busy lunch counter energy with open kitchen. Fine for casual conversation, not ideal for private discussions.
Weekend wait: Closed weekends - weekday lunch only operation
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min line typical (11:30am-1pm peak), but moves lightning-fast. Food ready in 3-5 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabouleh, dolmas, vegetarian plates. Mediterranean staples done well.
Vegan options: Good options - most mezze naturally vegan (hold the feta). Falafel plates, hummus bowls, grilled veggie skewers available.
Gluten-free options: Limited but workable - rice plates instead of pita, most grilled meats and mezze are GF. Ask about cross-contamination if celiac.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No - this is a fast-casual lunch counter with plastic utensils and cafeteria seating. Great for casual meetups or established couples grabbing quick bites, not romantic first impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations accepted - it's walk-up counter service only. You order, pay, grab a seat, and food comes out within minutes. Peak lunch rush (noon-1pm) means standing in line, but turnover is rapid.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - casual vibe, quick service, simple grilled meats and rice that kids love. No high chairs or kids menu, but portions are generous enough to share. Perfect for families wanting fast, healthy lunch.
How does the legendary garlic sauce compare to others? It's the real star - thick, punchy, intensely garlicky toum that regulars buy by the container. More potent than most Pasadena competitors. Request extra or you'll regret it.
Is this actually fast enough for a 30-minute lunch break? Yes, barely - even with the line, you're typically eating within 10-12 minutes of arrival. Order ahead by phone to shave 5+ minutes. Perfect for office workers on tight schedules.
Best For
Better for: Speed and value - you get quality flame-grilled Mediterranean for under $15 in under 15 minutes. Beats Chipotle on quality, beats sit-down Mediterranean on speed. The garlic sauce alone justifies the trip.
Skip if: You want atmosphere, table service, or a leisurely meal. Also skip if you need weekend availability or dinner service. For date nights or special occasions, go elsewhere - this is functional fuel, not an experience.
Kokos Mediterranean Cafe
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family-run counter-service spot delivering flame-grilled kebabs and Mediterranean staples with Armenian and Lebanese influences since the early 2000s. The lightning-fast service and homemade garlic sauce have built a devoted lunch crowd that tolerates lines out the door. Generous portions and consistently tender meats make this a weekday staple for South Lake office workers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken & Beef Kebab Mix Plate, Lamb Kebab, Chicken Shawarma
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Over 20 years of consistent quality with homemade sauces and flame-grilled kebabs
Who should go: Office workers and families seeking authentic Mediterranean lunch
When to visit: Weekday lunch 11am-1pm for peak freshness and energy
What to order: Mix plate with both chicken and beef, extra garlic sauce, hummus
Insider tip: Food comes out while you're still paying—that's how fast they work
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot behind building with 15-20 spaces, fills by 11:30am weekdays. Street parking on Central Ave usually available. Easy in/out.
Dress code: Casual counter-service - work clothes, gym wear, whatever. This is a grab-lunch spot.
Noise level: Moderate buzz during lunch rush - can have conversations but it's a working cafeteria vibe, not intimate
Weekend wait: Closed weekends - weekday operation only
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min line 11:30am-12:30pm peak, but moves incredibly fast. Food ready in 3-5 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - falafel, dolmas, hummus plates, Greek salad. Several complete meal options.
Vegan options: Yes - falafel and hummus are vegan, just skip tzatziki. Request no cheese on salads.
Gluten-free options: Limited - rice plates work, skip pita. No dedicated prep but straightforward ingredients.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No - this is counter-service lunch spot with cafeteria seating and fast-casual energy. Save it for casual meetups or post-date 'let me show you my favorite lunch place' follow-up.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken - it's pure counter-service. Grab a table when you order, food arrives before you sit down. Peak lunch (11:30am-1pm) means limited seating but high turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - casual environment, quick service keeps kids from getting restless, simple grilled chicken and rice appeals to picky eaters. High chairs available. Gets loud during lunch rush.
How does it compare to Zankou Chicken? Similar lightning-fast Mediterranean style but Kokos skews more Greek/Armenian vs Zankou's Lebanese focus. Kokos feels more mom-and-pop, Zankou more chain-polished. Both have cult garlic sauce followings.
Is the garlic sauce really that good? Yes - it's homemade, properly emulsified, and has the right garlic punch without being raw or harsh. Regulars request extra containers. It's what keeps the lunch crowd coming back for 20+ years.
Best For
Better for: Speed (food in under 5 minutes), value (huge portions under $15), consistent quality for weekday lunch rotation, authentic family recipes, that garlic sauce. Beats fast-casual chains on taste, beats sit-down Mediterranean on speed and price.
Skip if: You want weekend dining (closed), romantic ambiance (it's cafeteria-style), alcohol with meal (no liquor license), or leisurely paced dining. For special occasions or dates, go elsewhere. This is a functional lunch machine.
Kokos Mediterranean Cafe
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
A Pasadena institution for over 20 years, this family-owned spot serves authentic Armenian and Lebanese cuisine with chef Koko's family recipes. Lightning-fast counter service delivers generous portions of charcoal-grilled kebabs and house-made mezze at exceptional value, drawing business lunch crowds and locals who know quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken & Beef Kebab Mix Plate, Lamb Kebab, Falafel with Garlic Sauce
Scores:
Value: 9.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Family recipes executed with precision for two decades at unbeatable prices
Who should go: Office workers, budget-conscious families, quality seekers
When to visit: Weekday lunch rush moves fast despite lines
What to order: Mix plate to try both chicken and beef kebabs, always add garlic sauce
Insider tip: Limited hours (closed Sundays), get there before 1pm on weekdays
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot behind building plus street parking on Shoppers Lane - easy access, rarely full
Dress code: Ultra casual - work clothes, gym wear, whatever. It's counter service.
Noise level: Moderate bustle - conversation-friendly but not intimate. Fast-casual energy.
Weekend wait: Closed Sundays; Saturday moves quickly, 5-10 min max
Weekday lunch: Lines form 12-1pm but move fast - expect 10-15 min total
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, plus veggie plates
Vegan options: Strong options - most mezze is vegan, request no yogurt sauce on sides
Gluten-free options: Yes - kebab plates over rice, most dips are GF, ask about cross-contamination
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Skip it for romance - counter service and cafeteria vibes don't set the mood. Great for casual hangouts or third dates when you're past impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken - it's counter service. Grab your food and find seating. Peak lunch (12-1pm) can be tight but turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Perfect for kids - fast service, mild flavors available, generous portions to share. High chairs available, casual atmosphere means noise isn't an issue.
How does it compare to Zankou Chicken? Similar quality and pricing but Kokos has more variety in mezze and slightly better charcoal flavor on kebabs. Zankou wins on garlic sauce intensity.
Is the portion size worth the price? Absolutely - mix plates easily feed two light eaters. Best value Mediterranean in Pasadena, often $10-12 for lunch with leftovers.
Best For
Better for: Authentic family recipes and speed - when you want real Armenian/Lebanese cooking without the sit-down time commitment. Beats chain Mediterranean spots on flavor and value, dominates the weekday lunch category.
Skip if: You want ambiance, full table service, or a date-night setting. Also skip if you need late hours (closes early) or Sunday availability. Choose Raffi's Place or Gulfstream for sit-down Mediterranean instead.