Izi's Sandwich Shop & Deli

What's it like?

The name of this restaurant is as inconspicuous as its location (on the other side of Kim’s Donuts from the still-fairly-new Vallarta grocery store); It’s an Armenian/Lebanese deli and market. I’m not yet able to distinguish between these two cultures, but if I remember correctly Ara (I’m probably misspelling his name) and his wife Gloria, the owners, are from Lebanon.

I must confess that I don’t tend to try new things once I’ve found something I like, and I love the kebab plates. I rotate between ordering the chicken or lula (Ara uses only beef in the lula, as he received many complaints about the grease from the lamb), and I almost always substitute the salad for hummus. They have great hummus. I’ve also tried the lamajouhn, baklava and the cheese boreg—all delicious. Since this is right across the street from my work, I end up eating at Izzi’s at least once a week (and as many as three). If you come frequently and stay long enough, he’ll make Armenian coffee for you, for free.

A funny story: I went with two co-workers one day, and while waiting for our lunches I remembered I had intended to substitute the rice for fresh fruit (they always have something). Ara indicated that this would be no problem, and then shortly brought a platter of fruit for all of us to share, at no charge: grapes, watermelon and the sweetest white peach I’ve ever tasted. You’ve gotta love local eateries.

For those who like hummus, this is also the only place in town I’ve been able to find tahini.