Lincoln Lunch: Chicken Shawarma
(not my actual lunch) Wednesday comes and I'm desperate for a Lincoln Lunch, that $5 meal I am so fond of. I'm cruising Vanowen Street looking for a score when I pass Valley Produce, a large supermarket with a marquee outside that lists a dozen more businesses, including Jerusalem Grill (no Web site, unfortunately). But there is only one building. Hmmm.
I pull a U-turn and head into the parking lot of Valley Produce. The front spots are packed and the back lot is surprisingly full considering it's a Wednesday afternoon.
Jerusalem Grill is in the entryway to the grocery store, a large open space that is buzzing with customers. Even on weekends my local Albertsons does not get this crowded!
I am delighted to find 13 sandwiches for $5.50 or less and ordered the chicken shawarma, a dish that always takes me back to a dirty street in Conakry, the capital of Guinea in West Africa. I was there visiting my sister, a daring peace corps volunteer, and was exhausted after the long trip from New York. It was nighttime and I told Kate I needed food. In an alley we found this dingy hole in the wall grill and she ordered two shawarmas, which I had never had before. The food was hot, flavorful, and one of the best things I ever ate.
I didn't expect the shawarma from Jerusalem Grill to live up to my carefully crafted...
...Guinean memory, but was truly surprised how good it was. The pita was warm and soft, and there was plenty of lettuce and pieces of chicken. A few chunks of cucumber and tomato dotted my shawarma. The chicken was very tasty (when I asked, the chef said his secret was a good marinade) and the sauce was tangy, frothy and so good I scraped the extra off the tinfoil wrapper.
My shawarma also looked nice, but when I went to take a picture I realized the camera had no battery. Doh!
Seating is limited and not scenic but will do in a pinch.
Visit them at 18345 Vanowen Street in Reseda. (818) 996-2800. Open Monday to Saturday 10 to 7 and Sunday 10 to 5. Yelpers gave Jerusalum Grill the thumbs up.
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Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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Yes, their shawarma is good - have had the beef and lamb. Was asked if I wanted 'spicy' dressing, but my palate chickened out and I asked for mild.
Valley Produce seems to have the best prices I have found for fruit and veggies. I was there Monday afternoon and picked up figs, bananas, grapes, califlower, nuts and pears, all for less than I would have paid at my local supermarket. They also have a location in Simi Valley, on Los Angeles Ave. at First Street.
I know this place.
Near this place is a Mexican Restaurant (Las Fuentes, I think) who have the best Mexican food. (sister company of Melody) accross the street.
Las Fuentes ROCKS! They may have Lincoln Lunches, although I think their lunch combos are $6 (meal, drink, chips, salsa bar).
Valley Produce is a valley institution - as b said, it's the cheapest produce around and the quality's decent. The fun part, I think, is that you can get incredible vareities of ethnic foods and flavorings. There are 10 kinds of cucumbers and 30 kinds of peppers. There are sections of spices and mixes that are Persian, Israeli, Mexican, Indian, Honduran, and who knows how many others. There's also a butcher shop in the store, though I've never tried it.
I haven't been to Valley Produce in a long time, and was very disappointed in the food at Las Fuentes the last time I was there. I much prefer the fabulous Barragan's in Burbank on Victory Blvd., just south of Burbank Bl., not far from Media Center. As for produce, I usually go to Jons at Sepulveda and Sherman Way for inexpensive items, and the parking lot is seldom as crowded as the one at Valley Produce. There used to be a wonderful mid-Eastern shwarma "stand" (Crossroads)on the SW corner by Valley College. It had to move when its lease was up, and I don't where it relocated. I'd like to know. In the meantime, I plan to try the Jerusalem Grill soon.
hopping at Valley Produce is like being at a bazaar in a third world country. the people are incredibly rude..pushing and shoving using their elbows to get you out of the way. they almost knocked down my elderly mother one day just because the4y wanted to get to something and could not wait. I would never go there again..Ill pay more elsewhere.