0 Followers
Panini Kabob Grill
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Panini Kabob Grill
7.9
PKG brings fresh Mediterranean fusion to The Paseo outdoor shopping village, offering everything from juicy kabobs to creative paninis. Each dish is made to order with premium ingredients, perfect for shoppers seeking a healthy, satisfying meal in the heart of downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Koobideh, Mediterranean Panini, Chicken Kabob Plate
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Only Mediterranean spot with panini fusion menu
Who should go: Shoppers and convention center visitors
When to visit: After shopping at The Paseo
What to order: Kabob combo, specialty panini, fresh hummus
Insider tip: Free parking for first 90 minutes underground
Panini Kabob Grill
7.8
Scratch-made Mediterranean kitchen inside The Paseo shopping village with sit-down service and open-flame grilled proteins. The newer Pasadena location brings PKG's signature paninis and kabob platters to downtown, though execution hasn't quite matched their established Glendale flagship. Fresh salads and customizable bowls appeal to health-conscious shoppers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kabob Platter, Mediterranean Wrap, Salmon Kabob
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.3
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: All dishes prepared to order with ABF proteins and fresh ingredients
Who should go: Shoppers wanting healthier Mediterranean options before hitting stores
When to visit: Lunch on weekdays for freshest preparation and service
What to order: Build-your-own bowl with chicken, customizable platter with rice and hummus
Insider tip: Located in The Paseo across from Pasadena Civic Auditorium
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free 2-hour validation in The Paseo parking structure (enter on Green St), street metered parking also available
Dress code: Casual - athleisure and jeans perfectly fine, shopping attire
Noise level: Low to moderate - open dining area but acoustics allow easy conversation
Weekend wait: 10-15 min typical, counter-service ordering speeds things up
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min during peak (12-1pm), walk right in before/after
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - excellent selection including falafel, veggie kabobs, Greek salads, hummus platters
Vegan options: Yes - multiple options with dairy-free tzatziki available, request no feta on salads
Gluten-free options: Yes - skip the paninis, choose rice bowls or salad bases, all proteins are GF
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual lunch date than dinner - the counter-service format and shopping center setting lack romantic ambiance, but the healthy options and outdoor seating work for low-pressure daytime meetups
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed or accepted - it's counter-service with open seating. Arrive during off-peak hours (before 11:30am or after 1:30pm) for best table selection
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - casual atmosphere, simple grilled chicken and rice options kids love, high chairs available. The Paseo location attracts families shopping nearby
How does it compare to the Glendale location? The original Glendale flagship is more consistent - Pasadena location is newer and still working out execution kinks, though the menu and concept are identical
Can I order for takeout? Yes - full menu available for takeout, popular with office workers. Call ahead or order at counter, typically ready in 10-15 minutes
Best For
Better for: Choose PKG when you want customizable, healthy Mediterranean with speed - beats sit-down Greek spots for lunch efficiency and beats fast-casual chains for ingredient quality and scratch preparation
Skip if: Skip if you want tableside service, romantic ambiance, or complex Mediterranean preparations - head to Momed or Celestino for elevated sit-down Greek dining in Pasadena instead
Panini Kabob Grill
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Located in The Paseo shopping village, this scratch kitchen prepares Mediterranean staples from fresh ingredients daily. The menu balances traditional kebabs with California-influenced paninis and pastas, offering convenient quick-service dining near the Pasadena Civic Auditorium with consistent quality across the regional chain's locations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kabob Plate, Beef Lule Kebab, Mediterranean Panini
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: True scratch kitchen with made-to-order approach in convenient shopping district
Who should go: Shoppers, convention-goers, families seeking reliable quality
When to visit: Before events at Civic Auditorium, weekday lunch
What to order: Stick to traditional kebabs over fusion items
Insider tip: Subterranean parking validated for first 90 minutes
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Validated parking in The Paseo's subterranean garage - first 90 minutes free with purchase, then $2/hour. Street metered parking also available on Colorado Blvd but limited during events.
Dress code: Casual - athleisure, jeans, work attire all fine. Fast-casual counter service environment.
Noise level: Moderate - open shopping village setting with background music and foot traffic, but conversations flow easily at tables.
Weekend wait: 10-15 min for made-to-order food during peak times (6-8pm), minimal wait for seating in open layout
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min food prep time, no wait for seating - popular with business lunch crowd 11:30am-1pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including falafel, hummus plates, veggie kabobs, Mediterranean salads, and multiple pasta choices
Vegan options: Yes - strong selection with falafel, veggie kabobs (request no dairy), hummus, baba ganoush, and customizable salad bowls
Gluten-free options: Limited - rice bowls and salads work, but cross-contamination possible in shared kitchen. Not a dedicated GF facility.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual daytime meetup than romantic dinner. The shopping village setting and counter-service format lack intimacy, but outdoor seating works for low-pressure coffee-shop-vibe dates. Try dinner elsewhere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - no reservations needed or accepted. Counter service with open seating. Grab a table when you order, even during Civic Auditorium event nights when it gets busier.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - casual atmosphere, reasonable prices, familiar menu items (chicken kabobs, pasta), and quick service keeps kids engaged. High chairs available. Works for all ages including toddlers.
How does it compare to sit-down Mediterranean restaurants? Trade white-tablecloth service for speed and value. Quality ingredients and scratch cooking rival pricier spots, but you're ordering at a counter and bussing your own table. Best for convenience over experience.
Is this a good pre-event spot before a show at the Civic? Ideal - 2 blocks from Civic Auditorium, parking validated, and food arrives in 10-15 minutes. Popular with theater and convention crowds. Arrive 60-75 min before showtime to eat comfortably.
Best For
Better for: Reliable quality when you need Mediterranean fast - shopping breaks, pre-event meals, business lunches where you want fresh ingredients without the sit-down time commitment. Beats other fast-casual chains on scratch cooking and ingredient quality.
Skip if: You want an experiential Mediterranean dinner with ambiance and full service, or seeking adventurous/chef-driven interpretations. This is well-executed standards, not culinary exploration. Also skip if you need guaranteed gluten-free safety.