Greek kabob eatery delivers fresh,local ‘Athen’tic cuisine
Photo courtesy of WILLIAM WONG
by WILLIAM WONG
While fast-food and takeout meals continue to rise in popularity, John’s Kabob combines traditional Greek cuisine with modern delivery..
John’s Kabob first opened in February of 2014, where they became an instant success, due to limited Greek and Mediterranean options in the local area.
At a first glance, the restaurant has a very cozy and homelike appearance. The facility’s small but house-shaped structure provides an ambiance similar to that of relaxing on a warm day where customers can loosen up and enjoy their food.
The food at John’s Kabob is quite spectacular. Their kabobs use traditional Greek flavors
, seasoning the meat with oregano, cumin and other herbs, which create a savory and peppery sensation. The texture of their kabobs is also unique,with the outside charred and crunchy and the interior soft, tender and juicy.
Another delicious item is their gyro sandwich. Traditionally cooked by stacking slabs of meat on a metal skewer, the gyro cooks meat by rotating the skewer near a fire. The meat is then sliced off the side and served. John’s Kabob’s gyros use a combination of lamb and beef cooked to perfection. The flavors remain hearty, while the meat is like butter, literally melting in the mouth. To contrast the meat’s buttery texture, a combination of grilled bell peppers and onions are used to create sweet and crunchy aspects to the dish. The meaty concoction is then wrapped in a soft and chewy pita bread, creating an enticing entrée.
The richness provided by chickpeas and olive oil is balanced by the sharpness and acidity of lemon juice and garlic, creating a fresh and creamy accent that can be added to essentially every dish.
In addition to the food, service is also very good. The staff are friendly and easy to communicate with, and most of the the items can be purchased for less than $11.
The restaurant is also available through Yelp’s EAT24. The feature allows customers to order online for either takeout or delivery within a given time interval. Unfortunately, orders have a minimum cost of $30 before tax to be capable for delivery.
John’s Kabob is located at 440 S. Atlantic Blvd. in Monterey Park and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. on Sunday.
