Hayat's Kitchen: Best French Fries in the Valley

Now, I can't say with absolute certainty that in North Hollywood has the best french fries in the San Fernando Valley. But what I can say with certainty is that I have never eaten any better french fries in the Valley. 

Hayat's Kitchen is a true hidden gem of North Hollywood. You have to walk down a corridor in the back corner of a strip mall in order to find it, so it's essentially invisible from the street and hidden from view. You probably wouldn't ever know it was there unless you were at the strip mall for other business, or were told to go there by someone.

I was told to go there by someone. I was told they had some of the best french fries ever. What I was told was correct.

My wife and I first went there about a year ago because we happened to be in the neighborhood and we remembered being told about the magnificent food and incredible fries. We couldn't remember the name of the place, only that it was in a strip mall across from the clown. We parked in the small lot and glanced around at the signs and didn't see anything that looked right. There's another strip mall across the street and we didn't know if we were in the right spot, so my wife called her friend who had told the tale of the incredible Lebanese restaurant. We were at the right place, and after being given directions walked down the corridor and discovered a heavenly place tucked away from view. 

There's little indoor seating at Hayat's and a small, covered, pleasant outdoor patio. Hayat's is a family-run operation and serves authentic Lebanese food, as well as a selection of baked goods under a front display case. I ordered a kabob plate, rice and salad, as well as the fries. The food was incredible, and not to be overlooked, but walking away, days later, all I could think about was the garlic fries.

How many different types and styles of french fries have I eaten in my life? Hard to say (and probably not something one would every really want an answer to) but these are unforgettable.

They come with a garlic dipping sauce ... just complete perfection. If everything in life were this good, life would be very good.

The L.A. Times agrees, calling them the best fries in Los Angeles. It is not an understatement. If there is a challenger to this crown, please step forward.

I started dropping by Hayat's whenever I was in the neighborhood and hungry. But soon I started going to the neighborhood just to go straight to Hayat's.