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    Alfanar Restaurant

    4.1 (34 reviews)

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    ALFANAR RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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    Rod Z.

    This is my first time coming to this place since mal al sham is closed for remodeling, I was craving middle eastern food (rare) and decided to stop in to give it a try. Place wasn't empty but not busy at all. The plus is they have free tea and complimentary soup. The cons was the order was wrong, the food took forever to come out (over 40 mins) for some shawarma wraps lol and the food itself wasn't good at all. I honestly will not come back Did I mention people coming in after me received their food before? Yea sums it up

    Tania C.

    Are you craving some middle eastern food? Yes? Then you have to try this restaurant. Is the typical place where it seems like you are going to a family member's house. Food was really good. Great portions. Priced well. It has a familiar vibe. My rating is more of me expecting a great ambiance. I wish they decorate the place and have some authentic music playing in the background. Service was very nice as well. It is not a fancy place, but some times all you need is a warm cozy familiar meal to have. If you are in the area, try them out. Happy meals!

    3 mixed grill skewers & Lamb shank with rice and complimentary bread & salad
    Michael G.

    Came to check a mall nearby and after looking at Yelp where to eat, this AL FANAR RESTAURANT showed up on my page. Gave it a try and pretty good at a reasonable price too. Super friendly staff. The food was delicious ! We had Lamb Shank with Rice plate and 3 Mixed grill Skewers plates. The Lamb Shank with Rice plate, meats were very tender and so delicious and the stew that came with it was very good and very tasty . The 3 mixed grills were also very tender and juicy and very tasty, they were Chicken and 2 Beef. Good portion of food too . That's the only one so far we tried and we already love the food here , we are planning to come back here again if we are in the area, the food was very delicious , and the inside is bright and welcoming. Lots of parking around.

    Delightful lentil
    Hanafi M.

    Never again. Not 4 me at all. Service is excellent, the bread all wrong. Parking is excellent, no water unless you pay.

    Kabob for one person
    Waseem I.

    Al Fanar offers a genuine taste of Mid Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine in a comfortable, relaxed setting. The restaurant has a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and the decor reflects a touch of traditional charm without feeling overdone. It's the kind of place that works for both casual lunches and family dinners. The menu features many familiar favorites -- from kebabs and shawarma to fresh hummus and tabbouleh. The grilled meats are generally flavorful and well-seasoned, and the portions are generous. My visit was very short i chose kebab for a quick meal. Service was fast and friendly. Thank you

    Alfanar Quzi
    J J.

    Really good authentic Iraqi food, the restaurant owner served us the food himself. Started with very good lentil soup. His Iraqi Kabab was so good. Alfanar Quzi ( Baked Lamb with lamb fat), was so juicy, meat falling off the bone.

    Mixed grill
    Cirwan S.

    Some of the best beef kebabs I've had! Driving by here and I saw they were a new restaurant so I wanted to try them really bad. I got the mix grill plate came with one beef kebab, one chicken tikka, and one rib eye tikka ! Amazing and not bad on the price ! We all shared three appetizers, one yogurt and cucumber, one hummus, and one baba ghanoush. Very tasty we ate it with the bread and the bread was freshly made there. I also go the falafel wrap it was flavorful ! My buddy got the koosi meat and said it was so tender he wanted more ! I took a shwarma rap to go and it was still yummy even at home! They have lots of dinning in space and the restaurant was clean which is always a plus !

    Beef Kabob
    Handren D.

    This is a new middle eastern restaurant in El Cajon. If you have been to El Cajon you know that this is Little Baghdad and lots of competitors. I always get the beef kabob plate when trying new mid-east restaurants. This is a sit-down order from the menu from the server. The plate comes with rice or fries for $16.95. The server told me because it's breakfast time they have no fries or rice, only bread. Keep in mind it was 11:20am and they do not serve breakfast. Any other time I would have left but I wanted to try the food. The beef kabob was average and didn't have the flavor you would expect from a traditional kabob. The bread was made in house but wasn't doughy enough and fell apart easily. The toorshie (pickled vegetables) was actually pretty good. The server did not offer or bring me anything to drink (not even tap water). I went to check out and my bill came to $15.05. Pretty pricey for average kabob and average service. Would I come back again no but I'm sure my dad will want to try it for himself. Since my dad will be buying I will give them one more try. If the experience ends up being better, I will write another review otherwise I will let it be.

    Tuxy D.

    Five stars for this El Cajon restaurant I visited last Saturday! I got the chicken tikka plate, and wow, the chicken was super juicy, packed with flavor. The crispy chicken sandwich was also fantastic crispy, flavorful, and just the right size. They even started me off with lentil soup that was so comforting. Total steal for the price, honestly everything was perfect. I'm already craving it, can't wait to go back

    Allyson C.

    Food is ok. Lady with red hair at the front is super rude and ridiculous. Unfortunate

    Beef kebab combo
    Leia C.

    I was greeted by friendly staff. The restaurant and visible kitchen were very clean! This was my first time eating Iraqi food and it was delicious. I ordered the beef kebab with white rice. It came with grilled veggies and pickled veggies, which were amazing! I will definitely return to explore the rest of their menu.

    Tashreeb shawarma
    Eder R.

    A hidden gem. I spoke to one of the waitresses and she told me that they been there for a few months. Its a new restaurant. This is a mix of Iraqi, Persian, Lebanese restaurant/cuisine. A lot of appetizers. A lot of main dishes. Fresh meats. Soups. Delicious side dishes. The service is excellent. Fresh salads. Fresh made Arabic bread. I am definitely coming back again. In the pictures: Qozi (meat) with rice and Ocra gravy. Mixed appetizers. Meat Shawarma tashreeb. I came back after one week to try other meals. Today was: sheesh kabob meat Shawarma meat Hamburger Tikka meat It is my place to go for sure.

    Kabab
    Ali I.

    Authentic Iraqi Kabab... nice atmosphere and great customer service. I recommend it and I will be back again for sure.

    I ordered qouzi lamb shank was so delicious and moist 10/10  and service 10/10 good job guys

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    1 year ago

    Great customer service. Food is very very good especially the kebab and quzi. I highly recommand this place!

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    Ask the Community - Alfanar Restaurant

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    Ali Baba Family Restaurant

    4.1(926 reviews)
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    The location is right on the corner you can't miss it. They have their own small parking lot. There…read moreis a lot of similar restaurants in the area that we have tried. They just don't compare. The quality and flavors are out of this world. The inside is very cute. it is clean and welcoming. We enjoy lunch dates and dinner here as a family. The owners are very friendly. Definitely recommend the lunch for 2. FYI it feeds 4 people easily. Dinner for 3 feeds 6-7. Large portions. The hummus is soooooooo good. Pro tip: ask for extra olive oil. Give this place a try!

    Haven't been here in years, decided to take a trip to El Cajon to have lunch at this mom and pop…read moremiddle eastern restaurant with my mom and pop. They definitely invest their time on the taste of their food and serving large portion sizes instead of fancy tables and decor. It's not upscale fine dining... the interioir looks the exact same for past decade. Although a little dated the place is very clean and fits large or small groups. Not a date night spot -- more a friends and family stuff your face kind of place. They have a dedicated parking lot with plenty of spots. We ordered a ton of food to share. Half roasted chicken with side of fatoush salad, beef kabob plate with side of rice, lamb tikka with side of fries, a large plate of hummus, and an order of falafel (Best Falafel in SoCal). EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! I personally didn't like the lamb tikka but everyone else destroyed that plate. We ordered a pot of black tea (mint flavored) and they brought our large pieces of steaming hot fresh bread. Service was very friendly and fast. They modified any order to your liking. They also thanked us for coming and meant it when they said it -- Mom and Pop shops are The Best! Highly Recommend if you're looking for good quality middle eastern food with large portions.

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    Feast for 4!

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    Pita Bread the Size of a Pizza

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    I can for the viral Wagyu Shawarma Cheesesteak. It was very tasty with a mix of peppers, onion…read morecheese and sauce. Whatever sauce they used gave it a bit of spiciness. I went at 3:30 pm on a Saturday and was surprised that it was pretty busy at that weird time The sandwich was huge ( probably 12 inch sub) so depending on how hungry you are, you could easily split it. I loved the fries. Whatever seasoning they used gave is perfect

    I decided to visit this location for a late lunch during the week. I was so busy at work that I had…read moreto not had an opportunity to get lunch. I was able to sign off at 330p and head over to this location. The place was empty and there were clean tables and floors when I walked in. I was greeted by the lady behind the counter, and she had a smile on her face. I ordered the beef & chicken shawarma plate, Wagyu Beef eggrolls, and a bottled drink. My food was freshly prepared. I received my order in 7-10 minutes. It smelled wonderful. I paid for extra yogurt sauce and left to take my food to-go. When I arrived home, I enjoyed a delicious meal. Everything was prepared with great flavor, portions, and care. I had the garlic sauce and the yogurt sauce with my meal. This place is one of my favorites. I have been eating their food since the Southpark Truck days, phenomenally delicious. Thanks!

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    Ordering counter

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    Wagyu beef and chicken shawarma plate, hummus and pita bread. All tasted so good!

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    There are restaurants you visit, and then there are places you feel, where the intention behind…read moreevery dish is unmistakable from the moment you walk in. That was my experience at NEY. From the first bite, it was clear this isn't just food, it is craft. You can taste the care, the precision, and the pride. Every element felt thoughtfully prepared, balanced, and deeply satisfying without trying too hard. The standout for me was the biryani, comforting, and perfectly executed. But everything impressed. The tzatziki was bright and refreshing, the hummus topped with beef shawarma was rich and flavorful, and the ney classic plate was generous enough to easily feed two, maybe even three, without sacrificing quality anywhere on the plate. It was the perfect way to try a lot of their items at once and that one disappointed! What really says it all is that I am already looking forward to the leftovers, which is rare for me. This is the kind of place that stays with you, not just because it is good, but because you can feel the heart behind it.

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    Ney Restaurant - Happy Dinner Time

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    This place is hella awesome & authentic! Hent works behind the counter & she can cook and she is…read morereally nice! We had the Chipotle Chicken Shawarma & Lemon Cilantro Beef Shawarma. Both were so good. The dishes were generously portioned and flavorful. The baklava was also delicious! Don't leave without trying some of these treats. The dining room is not fancy, but it is clean and functional. I did not visit the restroom so I cannot comment on it. Pay this place a visit, you will be delighted and this will be your new favorite Shawarma spot! Peace.

    Photos
    Mr Shawarma - Fantastic and delicious selection.  Great food - nice music.  Great for lunch or dinner.

    Fantastic and delicious selection. Great food - nice music. Great for lunch or dinner.

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