Kebab Halebi

The Ghadanian family, fronted by brothers Raffy and George, run this flavorful Syrian restaurant in a Van Nuys strip mall. A lion statue greets diners at the door, acting as a regal usher, and the menu features some interesting Syrian-influenced dishes, including Antakali Kebab ($15). Four ground beef lule kebabs rest under grilled pita that supports a tangy, well-spiced mix of onion, tomato and pine nuts. Each entrée comes with grilled tomato and shaved raw onions dusted with tart, lemony sumac.