The man who took kebabs mainstream in Southern California

The kebab, a 10th-century Middle Eastern tradition, is a centerpiece at many Armenian family gatherings.

Meat grilled on skewers on an open fire and served with vegetables and rice is a concept that was taken mainstream in the Los Angeles area by Hacop “Jack” Baghdassarian, the founder of Masis Kebob.

Baghdassarian opened his first kabob stand at the Glendale Galleria food court in 1976.

“Dad wanted to have something that was Armenian in this brand-new shiny mall,” Peter Baghdassarian recalls.

Brothers Gevik and Peter, who are carrying on the legacy, say it was always their father’s dream to sell a taste of their culture to the masses back when Armenian food really wasn’t easy to find.

And it wasn’t an instant success.

Source: Ktla