Raffi's Place Restaurant   

211 E Broadway
Glendale, CA 91205
818-240-7411

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Arguably the most popular eatery in Glendale, this little outdoor caf tends to be crowded even during off-hours. The restaurant has a clean, functional interior, but most of the action takes place in its inviting outdoor courtyard, with its striped awnings, expansive mural of a Mediterranean seascape and towering trees wrapped sparkling lights. This is clearly a fun place to be: Guests hop from table to table, consume enormous portions of food and, because they're outdoors, smoke to their hearts content. The primarily Persian menu is rather short-especially when compared to the extensive list of mezes (appetizers) offered at Glendale's Armenian or Lebanese restaurants, such as nearby Carousel-but almost all the dishes are exceptionally well-prepared. Kebabs rule here, and our favorites are the remarkably juicy koobideh (ground beef), herb-inflected shishlique (lamb chops) and tender chicken barg (chicken breast), all served with roasted tomatoes and a veritable mountain of saffron-tinted basmati riceu