A Pandemic-Born Labor of Love and Music
The story behind Chelo – Taste of Persia is as rich as the food itself. Founded during the height of the pandemic by a father-and-son duo, Misa and his father turned a long-cherished dream into reality. Drawing from his background in finance, Misa saw an opportunity to bring authentic counter-service Persian food to a community hungry for fresh, high-quality comfort food.
The name “Chelo” translates directly to white rice in Persian, but it doubles as a clever play on words. Featured on their logo is a musician playing a cello with a pot of boiling rice for a head—a nod to their roots as a family of musicians and singers. That same harmony and artistic care carry directly into the kitchen, where every family member plays a role in creating a warm, welcoming experience.
The Secret Behind the Overnight-Marinated Kebabs
While many quick-service spots rely on fast seasoning and thin cuts, Chelo strictly adheres to traditional preparation methods. Everything starts the night before.
Take their famous Sirloin Steak Shish Kebab: instead of thin slices that dry out quickly on the grill, they use thick, high-grade sirloin cuts. The meat sits in a proprietary marinade overnight, allowing the spices to deeply tenderize every fiber. When it hits the open flame, you get a beautiful outer char while keeping the inside tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.
Original Saffron Lemon Chicken That Blossoms on the Grill
Saffron is world-renowned as the most expensive spice, and Misa jokes that his father uses far too much of it. But sticking to original roots is precisely what makes their Saffron Lemon Chicken an absolute crowd favorite.
Rather than skewering the chicken flat, his father employs a traditional curling technique on the skewer. Small incisions are made across the meat, allowing the chicken to literally “blossom” like a flower as it cooks over the heat. This unique method traps the steam and juices inside, producing an extraordinarily tender bite coated in a golden blend of real saffron, lemon, and clarified butter.
Scratch-Made Seasoned Pita and Homemade Dips
No Persian feast is complete without bread and dips, and Chelo makes everything in-house from scratch. Every evening, fresh pita dough is mixed, portioned, and weighed so it rises perfectly for the morning shift.
Unlike standard flatbreads, their signature pita is topped with coriander and Italian seasoning, giving it a subtle aromatic herbaceous note. Dip a warm slice into their scratch-made hummus or their cool spicy yogurt—which delivers an initial refreshing tang followed by a smooth, warming kick—and you’ll understand why locals skip the grocery store aisles altogether.
Why Chelo Belongs on Your Valley Food Bucket List
Whether you are pulling up for a quick lunch, picking up dinner for the family, or planning an event catering spread, Chelo – Taste of Persia brings genuine warmth and uncompromising quality to every plate.
📍 Address: 6321 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401 (Located at Van Nuys Blvd & Friar St, adjacent to the courthouse)
📲 Instagram: @tasteofchelo
📞 Catering & Orders: Counter service & major delivery platforms available
