Elena's Greek Armenian Cuisine

This Glendale, mom-and-pop joint has been serving some of the best comfort food in Los Angeles, namely its flame-licked kebabs, since the ’70s. The wood grill imparts a glorious, smoky quality to any meat from lamb chops to lule (ground meat kebab). Each meal is under $15, but the best value is undoubtedly the quail. California’s state bird, which normally commands a premium at trendier restaurants, costs only $8.25 for a pair at Elena’s. The juicy whole birds come with toasted pita with garlic butter, a heaping pile of rice, grilled pepper and tomato, pickled vegetables and a bowl of hearty lentil soup or house salad.