Est. 1984
Our Story
From our family to yours. Since 1984, Carousel has shared the flavors of our Lebanese-Armenian heritage with Los Angeles. Everything we serve comes from original family recipes passed down through generations.
“For four decades, our table has been your table.”
The Tcholakian Family
The Journey
Four Decades, One Family
1978
Beirut
Husband and wife Krikor (KoKo) and Vartouhi (Rose) Tcholakian operate a small sandwich shop in the heart of Beirut when the Lebanese civil war erupts to its worst proportions. The Tcholakians have a young son, Mike, and decide to leave their war torn country behind for the future. And so the American Dream was born.
1984
Hollywood
After immigrating to the US, the family worked various jobs to support themselves, from a coffee shop to making the Armenian sausage delicacy soujouk sold to local markets. In 1984, they took a leap of faith and used Rose's cooking expertise to open a home style restaurant, bringing an authentic taste of Lebanese-Armenian cuisine to their new home. A gradual success, Carousel Hollywood became a landmark and legend in the community.
1998
Glendale
After operating Carousel in Hollywood, Mike Tcholakian opened the larger Glendale location, bringing a taste of Middle Eastern hospitality every weekend with entertainment show nights.
Today
Glendale & Hollywood
Mike and his wife Rosalie Tcholakian are raising their family of two boys in the hustle and bustle of Glendale. They continue to work alongside the original founders daily, with Krikor in Hollywood and Vartouhi in Glendale. Carousel has become more of a lifestyle than a job, the culmination of blood, sweat, and tears that allowed the family to share their culture and cuisine upon coming to America.
To learn more about us, check out the following article by LA Eater.