Zankou Chicken is a Greek rotisserie chain with locations across California and beyond

Zankou Chicken operates as a fast-casual restaurant specializing in flame-grilled chicken and Greek sides. The chain started in 1961 in Beirut, Lebanon, and opened its first U.S. location in Los Angeles in 1983. Today it has multiple locations primarily in California, with some expansion into other states. The restaurant is known for its rotisserie chicken cooked over an open flame, served with garlic sauce, pita bread, and sides like hummus and tabbouleh.

The menu centers on chicken — whole birds, half birds, and chicken plates — but also includes lamb, beef, and seafood options. Most orders come as plates that include your protein, rice or fries, salad, and pita bread. You can order at the counter for dine-in or takeout, and many locations offer delivery through third-party apps.

Key Takeaways

  • Zankou's signature item is flame-grilled rotisserie chicken served with garlic sauce, which is made fresh daily at each location.
  • Chicken plates come as whole, half, or quarter portions and include rice or fries, salad, and pita bread as standard sides.
  • Most Zankou locations are in Southern California, particularly Los Angeles and Orange County, though some exist in other states.
  • You can order at the counter for when ready service or through delivery apps, though delivery times and availability vary by location.

What's on the menu and how portions work

The core menu revolves around chicken in three portion sizes. A whole chicken feeds two to three people and comes with all the standard sides. A half chicken is a single-serving portion. A quarter chicken is smaller and typically ordered as part of a combo or by itself. Each comes with your choice of rice pilaf or french fries, a side salad, and pita bread.

Beyond chicken, Zankou offers lamb, beef, and seafood shawarma (thinly sliced meat cooked on a vertical spit). These come in the same plate format. The restaurant also sells sides separately — hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, Greek salad, and rice — so you can build your own meal or add extras. Garlic sauce comes on the chicken automatically, but you can request it on the side or ask for extra.

Prices vary by location and have changed over time, so calling ahead or checking the website for your nearest restaurant gives you current pricing. Most chicken plates fall in the $12 to $18 range, though this depends on portion size and your location.

Where to find Zankou locations

Zankou has the most locations in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. You can find restaurants in areas like Hollywood, Glendale, Anaheim, and Long Beach. The chain has also expanded to other California cities and a few locations outside the state, though the footprint remains concentrated in Southern California.

To find the nearest location, visit the Zankou website or call ahead to confirm hours and current menu offerings. Hours vary by location — some open early for breakfast and close by 10 p.m., while others have different schedules. A few locations may have reduced hours on certain days.

How to order for dine-in, takeout, or delivery

At most Zankou locations, you order at the counter. You tell the staff your protein choice, portion size, and sides, and they prepare your meal while you wait. Dine-in orders are ready in 10 to 15 minutes. Takeout orders follow the same process — you can eat in the restaurant or take your food with you.

For delivery, Zankou partners with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub at many locations. Delivery fees, service charges, and wait times depend on the app and your distance from the restaurant. Not all locations offer delivery, and some apps may not service certain areas, so check availability before ordering.

What makes the garlic sauce distinctive

Zankou's garlic sauce is a creamy, pungent condiment that comes on every chicken order. It's made fresh daily at each location using garlic, oil, and other ingredients — the exact recipe is not publicly detailed, but the result is noticeably stronger and creamier than store-bought garlic mayo. The sauce is central to the Zankou experience and is what many customers remember most about the meal.

The sauce comes on your chicken by default, but you can request it on the side, ask for extra, or ask them to go light. Some people use it on the pita bread, fries, or salad as well. If you're sensitive to garlic or prefer milder flavors, mention this when ordering so the staff can adjust.

Dietary considerations and customization options

Zankou's menu includes naturally gluten-free options if you avoid bread — the chicken, rice, salad, and hummus are typically gluten-free, though cross-contamination is possible in a shared kitchen. If you have a gluten allergy, ask the staff about preparation methods and whether they can prevent cross-contact.

Vegetarian options are limited. Hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and Greek salad can form a meal, but the restaurant is primarily meat-focused. Vegan diets are harder to accommodate because many sides contain dairy or eggs, and the garlic sauce contains mayo. Ask the staff what's available if you have dietary restrictions.

You can customize most orders — request no garlic sauce, swap sides, add extra protein, or ask for modifications. The counter staff can usually handle these requests on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zankou Chicken halal?

Some Zankou locations are halal-certified, but not all. Call your local restaurant to confirm whether their chicken is halal-slaughtered and prepared. Certification varies by location and may change, so verify directly with the restaurant rather than assuming.

Can I order a whole chicken for pickup?

Yes. Whole chickens are available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery at most locations. Takeout whole chickens come in a container designed for transport. Call ahead if you want to order a large quantity or need it at a specific time.

What's the difference between a half chicken and a quarter chicken?

A half chicken is one side of the bird — either the breast and wing or the thigh and leg. A quarter chicken is one quarter of the bird. A half chicken is a full meal for one person; a quarter is smaller and often ordered as part of a combo or by someone with a lighter appetite.

Does Zankou offer catering?

Some locations offer catering for groups, but availability and minimum orders vary. Contact your local Zankou directly to ask about catering options, pricing, and how far in advance you need to order.

What if I don't like garlic?

Tell the staff when you order that you want no garlic sauce or sauce on the side. The chicken itself has no garlic baked into it — the sauce is the main source of garlic flavor. You can enjoy the meal without it or with minimal sauce.