Tucked away off of Westwood Blvd in Westwood is Attari Sandwich Shop. It has been in business for many years, but because of the quality of their offerings, I keep returning to this Middle Eastern eatery.
Attari Sandwich Shop is located in the heart of LA’s Persian Square and is one of the most popular eating establishments in the Westwood area of LA. Attari is known for its delicious Persian sandwiches and for having a comfortable courtyard setting.
Many of their sandwiches are made with organ meat such as liver, hearts or kidneys. Risk-averse customers veer towards the Attari Sandwich which is made with Koobideh. The favorite though seems to be their beef tongue sandwich.
Beef Tongue Sandwich
Beef tongue is packed into a fresh French baguette filled with contrasting ingredients to balance the meat. The sandwich includes lettuce, fresh tomatoes and pickles, and mayonnaise. Make sure you get a bite with the bread, tender meat and the pickles together as you will appreciate the salty and sour experience.
Koobideh is their namesake sandwich. It is a Middle Eastern meat kebab made from ground lamb and beef and mixed with parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Attari’s koobideh has great texture and is moist and flavorful. Their koobideh is also available as a combination with Iranian flatbread, grilled tomatoes, onions, and fresh herbs.
Shirazi Salad
The Shirazi salad makes a nice complement to a sandwich. It is also known as Persian Cucumber and Tomato Salad. The Shirazi salad consists of chopped fresh green peppers, tomatoes, onions, olive oil, and lime juice. This is a dish that consists of a few ingredients, yet it packs a lot of flavor.
Ab-goosht – hearty Persian stew
Ab-Goosht is their weekly Friday special. It is a complex thick stew served with fresh herbs, a broth, Iranian flatbread, torshi (pickles), onions and sabzi (leafy green herbs). The stew is made with chickpeas, onions, potatoes, and spices. After cooking, the solid lamb and vegetables are strained from the broth and mashed up into a thick chunky puree, which was served alongside the broth, as well as the herbs.
A popular dish that I’d like to try is their Osh soup. Osh is soul food for many Persians. This is a thick green lentil stew drizzled with yogurt and sprinkled with sweet fried onions. Other sides include Persian cucumber yogurt and Persian eggplant dip.
While Attari Sandwich Shop has a Westwood Blvd address, the cafe actually faces Wilkins Ave. The outdoor patio is nicely designed and functions as a quiet oasis off of busy Westwood Blvd. Attari Sandwich Shop is a great place to meet up with a friend and eat a delicious meal.
Attari Sandwich Shop, 1388 Westwood Blvd, West Los Angeles, CA 90024