I have eaten there so many times I can't even count. Their food and their restaurant is my favorite place to eat in San Diego. George and Samia are the most wonderful people in the world. George will come out of the kitchen and explain, in detail, every item on the menu. I laugh when I read or even see a subpar review of Alforon. Those people are either high on drugs or never experienced excellent food before. Chicken Tawook, Tabouli salad, house pickles, everything is off the chart and that's just the for starters. You can close your eyes, point to a menu item and have the best meal of your life. Explore their whole menu, you can't go wrong with a single item. Hands down off the chart and excellent food by two of the nicest people you will ever meet in your life. read more

First of all let me say that the love dessert has me hooked. Best thing here! One of the most unique and tasty things I've tried in a while, and that's saying a lot w my sweet tooth. I love the floral and pistachio taste, and it doesn't leave you feeling heavy afterwards. The mint lemonade is also a must have- tastes like it came from the garden in the best way possible. For savories, I had the spinach and cheese bajeen, baba gannouj, and the lamb fatteh - all had a lot of flavor and tasted homemade. I love trying new foods so will have to come back with more friends and try other things on the menu. The downside of this place was being seated on the right side of the restaurant near the carry out section. This was the pit of despair. I noticed that most of the staff goes to the other end first, and as a result 4 tables got seated after us and all of them had food on their table before we managed to flag one of the staff. It was definitely busy in there but he replied that he was simply going in order, but apparently order or left side to right side instead of arrival. I recommend trying to get seated on the side w the stained glass windows for better service. Other than that, the experience overall was pleasant. read more

See all

Came here asking to use the restroom after the coffee shop on the corner. We genuinely couldn't find one, so when we were told the restroom was for customers only, I said, "No problem, I'll buy something." Instead of accepting that, the older lady working there repeatedly told me to go back to the coffee shop because they "have a restroom." FYI to the restaurant: They don't. The restroom is actually hidden in the back of the connected barbershop, requiring you to walk past people getting haircuts. It's not obvious at all, which is why we came here in the first place. I even asked the older lady if she had personally been inside the coffee shop and seen a restroom herself. She couldn't answer the question and simply continued insisting they had one. If you're going to confidently direct customers elsewhere, it would probably help to actually know what you're talking about instead of making assumptions just to get people out the door. I was also asked, "Why are you here?" for simply asking to use the restroom, and during the conversation she put her hand on mine. I politely asked her not to touch me, and she stopped. After telling us to leave, she suddenly changed her mind and said we could use the restroom because we were "nice and respectful." At that point, I had already decided I didn't want to support a business that treated potential customers that way. It's not about the restroom...businesses are free to have whatever restroom policy they want. It's about the unnecessary attitude, poor customer service, and confidently giving incorrect information. Kindness and professionalism go a long way. read more

If you don't order drinks then you are in for a miserable experience. Zaatar tasted like sand.

Super awesome place, food was excellent, atmosphere was charming. I will definitely be back. Can't wait to try more.

I came to Alforon for dinner with my team from work and it was a wonderful experience! George and Samia (the owners/operators) made us feel right at home and rolled out the red carpet for our team. George explained the entire front of the menu, highlighting each item and why he added it to the menu, it's history, the flavor, and recommendations on what to order. We had a big group so we were able to order several flat breads. I'm not even sure which I tried but they were all delicious. For the entrees, we all shared those as well and the standouts were the fisherman's rice, the Ouzi Lamb, and the Majbous. Everyone raved about how tender and delicious the chicken was on the Majbous, I think it may have been the winner! The Mint tea Lemonade was also very unique and delicious. We also enjoyed the only beer in the middle east, Almaza, straight from Lebanon! George recommended a dessert which was interesting, not too sweet and had kind a flan type texture. I don't know what it was called but it was a nice way to cap off the meal. This wasn't just a dinner, it was an experience! Appreciate the hospitality that George and Samia shared with us, they really did make us feel like part of the family with their welcoming atmosphere and personalities. I'm not local to San Diego but if I was I would be visiting Alforon often! read more

See all

Phenomenal. This is by far the best Lebanese food I've ever had. Highly recommend coming here!

I had this place on my list for over a year and so happy we finally got to go! Really lovely family kind of vibe at this place. The server and chef basically treated my husband and I like their own children. A little strict but also giving us what we wanted, haha. super fun people and I was a little confused at some points whether or not she was actually being strict but I think it was all fun and games, haha. We both get intimidated at a few times not going to lie, haha. We usually look at the menu ahead of time and plan what to order but then after getting here we asked for recommendations and extremely extremely extremely grateful for all the suggestions our host / server gave us because it was way better than that we would have ordered! It was really nice how she told us they were about guest experience and not about making money because she even mentioned she was saving us money by helping us with this order. Tabouli - I asked if they could use less oil in this and even though I got a little bit of a stone look I think they actually delivered on that respect. such a beautiful and flavorful Tabouli - so fresh and refreshing! A lot of greens the perfect amount of lemon and not at all oily or greasy. There was also just very very little bulgar which was nice cuz it was like a proper salad and not something you would get at a supermarket. Za'atar Supreme Bajeen (Za'atar + Labni) We knew we wanted to try the labneh and some form or the other and really happy that it worked out on this Bajeen. We had been considering ordering the chicken one but this one was definitely much better!husband and I both love bread and this was like the perfect fresh baked bread that was warm and perfectly thin and crispy and flavorful as well. The tomatoes and love me on top added a nice touch, but I loved it even just plain! Majbous (flavorful rice + roasted chicken breast) Husband and I had planned on ordering the chicken kabobs but after we mentioned we wanted chicken she suggested this and man we are so so grateful for that! Such soft and perfectly cooked flavorful chicken!I don't know how they cook that chicken but it was really so so soft and perfect the rice on the bottom was extremely flavorful as well but all the spices that was infused with.there was also some combination of lentils and raisins on the side which went really well with the chicken and rice. 100% recommend this dish! Really big portion size on this dish as well and totally value for money! It's big enough to split among two people. Aaysh Essaraya - This place is really known for this dessert and I can totally see why. Perfect balance of flavor and texture with the soft creamy pudding and the crispy crunchy pistachios with the rose syrup soaked cake. Husband loved it so much he actually ordered a second one for himself after we split the first one. read more

See all

Back at it again. Alforon. Tabouli, Falfel, Shawarma Bajeen!!!! Yummy yummy yummy!!! Trying to get in here every 6 months!!! read more

Alforon - Kibbie Labaniyyeh - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Delicious food. Came on a Friday night at 7pm, and surprisingly, there were only 4 other parties there during our hour+ meal. Other reviews mentioned the owners being pushy about what you should order. Because I saw that ahead of time, I was prepared for it and welcomed it as a positive part of their culture. Sambousek cheese: Delicious, crispy, hot and fresh. Outside is reminiscent of a fried empanadas. Cheese/zataar flatbread: Fantastic. The most flavorful cheese I've ever had. Not a zataar fan, but the owner pushed us repeatedly to add half zataar. Fisherman's rice: really disliked this. The fish was dry/overcooked. The overwhelming flavor was just the tahini they covered it with, and a sour taste too. Vegan Kibbie: incredibly crispy, fresh. The insides and the salads surrounding them were so sour that I couldn't eat them. Baklawa: very dry and pistachio-forward. Didn't have the sweet/gooey aspect I love about other baklava. Overall we plan to return. We want to support a family run business where they clearly put so much work and energy into the food. While we disliked half of the food we ordered, it seems that we just don't like the overwhelming sour/tahini flavors that drive many dishes. We plan to get only cheese flatbread and falafel (our favorite was the outside of the Kibbie, which is basically falafel). The service is kind even though they can be pushy. The owner recommended Phoenician pie and chicken tawook, both of which we are open to trying next time. read more

See all

Alforon has the best falafels I've ever had in my life! They somehow feel fluffy, crunchy, and light at the same time. Their original dessert Aaysh Essaraya is deservedly the award-winning showstopper. Very unique flavors, super creamy, yet not excessively sweet or heavy. Loved it! And to top it all, it is run by the most wonderful couple whose passion for their food is evident as soon as you speak to them. Like I told them, this was first visit to Alforon, but certainly won't be my last :) read more

Alforon - Falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Well this was my first time having Lebanese food and now I want to get adopted by a Lebanese family so I could eat like this every day. We ordered the chicken tawook with peppers and no cheese. The dollops of garlic paste make the dish - it's the best garlic paste I've ever had. The dish is a little one dimensional but the peppers add something different; my only complaint is that I wish they would've added a little more. Regardless, I still loved it and would order it every time. We hesitantly ordered the ouzi lamb special because we don't love the gaminess of lamb. The server told us the lamb wasn't gamey at all so we took the risk and I'm so glad we did because she was right - ZERO gaminess. Idk how they did it but the lamb was tender, juicy, and went perfectly with the rest of the dish. Lastly, we had the Aaysh Essaraya pistachio dessert and omg.......... The first few bites my brain was trying to make sense of the new flavors it hadn't had before but once it did, I regretted getting a dessert to share. I strongly suggest you order it for yourself! The restaurant was pretty spacious. They were a little understaffed when we went in so we had to be patient but the servers were kind and were moving as fast as they could. Our food came out very quickly though. There isn't a ton of parking in the plaza but I didn't pay attention to whether there's a side street close by. All in all, if I wasn't trying to eat at home more I would probably be here daily trying everything on the menu. read more

See all

What a neighborhood gem. Located in a small strip mall in El cajon boulevard. It's pretty unassuming outside but right when you walk in you can smell all the delicious flavors that you're about to enjoy. We ordered takeout and got the chicken tawook (added peppers and jalapenos) and the falafel bajeen. Both dishes were served on their oven baked flatbread. Chicken tawook: the tenderness of the chicken was on point. What really makes it is the garlic paste (sooo creamy and flavorful) and the peppers/jalapenos (must get even if it's $2 extra. Adds a nice acidity and pop of flavor that isn't too hot) Falafel bajeen: familiar flavors but in a different format. The spread the falafel all along the flatbread like a pizza sauce and then bake it. Toppings are out on top after. A good variety of textures and the pickles added a nice flavor. Both dishes are fairly reasonably priced. Happy to support a smaller business! We will be back. read more

See all

Delicious food and sweet customer service. The most delicious dishes we tried were the Phoenician pie and Soujouk bajeen. The Phoenician pie is very flavorful and juicy with delicious spices. The cheese they use is amazing & complement the Phoenician pie well. The meat on the Soujouk bajeen was well seasoned and delicious. I cant wait to return and try more. Thank you! read more

Bhajeen. It's fantastic toasted in their giant stone/brick oven - basically Lebanese pizza. I chose falafel- piping hot flatbread, smeared in rich luscious falafel spread, topped with fresh lettuce, fresh diced tomato and cold, tart, pickled beets. Delish! 4*food Why only 2 stars? The service. TLDR: I have been wanting to try this place for almost a year. I walked in alone, and the woman that everybody loves (see other reviews) was talking to a table of people. I waited patiently by the podium that said 'please wait here to be seated'. After a few minutes of watching her casually chitchat, she finally acknowledged me with a head nod, an index finger, and commanded curtly "Wait." Then she kept on having her conversation with the table!!!! I was confused because it didn't look like she was taking an order (they already had food on their table), she wasn't delivering food, and she wasn't removing dishes. So I shrugged it off... and kept waiting. Then after a few more minutes of chit-chatting, she walked over and offered me a choice of tables. Only 3 out of 10-12 other tables were taken at 4:30pm, so I sat at a table near the middle. Soon after, the first table left and she gave them a very friendly goodbye and asked them to come back soon. I watched her sit down at every other table to have a conversation, admiring the young children at 2 different tables, and listening patiently to all the questions they asked--- 2 of the tables were families of 4, dining there for the first time. She asked them where they were from, how they heard about the restaurant, on and on. Meanwhile, I just waited. I watched her walk back-and-forth many many times past me without ever looking at me, or wondering if I was ready to order. When she brought me water, she had three glasses in her hands, dropped mine off without a word, then went to the next table, delivered their water, sat down and started a new conversation with them! Finally, a handsome older gentleman from the back kitchen came out to take my order. He was very friendly, smiled at me, and was kind enough to explain that some people like to put hummus on top of the falafel bhajeen. I declined in favor of the original simple tahini dressing. I also ordered a spinach pie and thanked him. When I was done eating, I kept trying to make eye contact with the woman to ask for a box to go for half my bhajeen, and a check. But she kept sweeping past me over and over, ignoring me. I tried placing my credit card on the table, first on the table, then on a white napkin to make it easier to see, and then further down near the end of the table, but she still didn't see it? Finally after taking all the other orders, delivering food, and having sit down conversations with the two other tables, she pointed to my half eaten bhajeen and asked "box?" as she was already walking almost past me. As much as I enjoyed the bhajeen, I doubted I would be coming back based on the cold treatment I was getting from her, and I didn't want to leave without at least having tried their dolmas. And I was so relieved to finally be noticed that I hurriedly said "yes please, and also a half order of stuffed grape leaves to go." She repeated the order and turned away abruptly. Instead of the woman, the sweet gentleman brought out my box and took my check and card. I noticed he didn't serve any of the other customers. The second star is only because he treated me like a valued guest. After several more minutes, the woman brought out the warm dolmas in a go-box, and set them down on top of a closed plastic bag, and walked away without another word. If it had been a language issue I would have understood, but she was having perfectly normal, laughing conversations with all the other tables in English. I felt like she didn't want to spend one extra second near me, ugh, so uncomfortable. I read through many other reviews and found another single Asian woman who managed to have a lovely solo meal and was served by this same woman in a warm friendly way. So it wasn't my appearance. And FYI, I was appropriately dressed ie, I didn't look like I was homeless or a working girl, lol! The restaurant was not even 1/3 full. At no point were there ever more than 4 tables including me. One was a 2-top that already had their food when I walked in. I just could NOT understand why the woman was so obviously treating me so differently from all the other tables. At no point during the entire meal did she: 1. make any suggestions re: what to order, 2. ask me if I have any questions about the menu, 3. ask if my food was all right, 4. ask me if I needed anything else, 5. acknowledge me leaving. I watched her do all of these things with every other table. Bizarro. read more

Alforon - Spinach Pie - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Flatbreads and Phoenician pie did not disappoint! I ordered through DoorDash for pickup and was so pleasantly surprised. The owners are so prideful of their space and product. They were excited for us to try and were so passionate about their product. The garlic dip is a must add on for the flatbreads. I I hope to return and eat at the restaurant so I can try more of their items! read more

Alforon - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

It's been a minute since our last visit. Food and atmosphere still great as past visits.

Nicest owners! So responsive, so helpful and so willing to make our large group happy! Thank you George for all you did to make my son's graduation dinner memorable! read more

Definitely lived up to the hype! Make a reservation if you can because it gets packed here. Also parking is a little tough so just street park. Food was incredible!! read more

See all

Best authentic Lebanese food you can get in San Diego. Wonderful owners and a team that serves quality, flavorful and filling dishes. If you like Lahm bi ajeen - which is baked meat pie on a thin flatbread dough - this is your place to go! I haven't had a dish here I didn't like; and I plan to try more dishes! The last time we came here they were not serving kabobs, but the amazing (and funny) lady made some other suggestions. I wasn't even listening to her recommendation since this place is consistently good. Glad we just trust, because we ate a stuffed zucchini and cabbage dish combo that wow'ed our group. DELICIOUS! My husband makes a similar stuffed zucchini at home, but the yogurt sauce here changes it up and was the highlight. Alfaron makes their yogurt in-house (their yogurt cucumber sauce is superb). MUST TRY: baked kibbie, Ouzi lamb (lamb & rice) and baba ghannouj. Don't skip on the custard bread dessert dish (5 stars in itself). Parking can be a little tough, but be patient. The food is worth it. read more

Alforon - Baked kibbeh - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

Delicious food and amazing service. Can't wait to go back for dessert. Samia was our server she was full of energy and gave us great recommendations read more

See all

This is the best middle eastern food I've had in a while. The food is incredibly fresh and tastes genuinely homemade. The perfect comfort food. It's a really cute family run spot, with quick and helpful service. I've had takeout from here twice and will be back again soon I'm sure! The love dessert is the absolute best dessert I've ever had. read more

Alforon - Love dessert - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

Amazing food and atmosphere, very welcoming and loving. Samia and George are wonderful people that deserve all the awards on the walls. read more

Alforon - Those awards don't lie - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

Awesome spot to try out Mediterranean Lebanese food in San Diego. 3 of us ordered: -chicken tawook -Sayyadieh (Fisherman's Rice) -Ouzi Lamb Chicken tawook (flatbread) was extremely tasty and very unique. The other two items were their top 2 most popular dishes (rice dishes). The flavors were great! If it is a small group, I would recommend only picking one of the rice dishes so you don't carb overload. Food definitely comes out a bit on the slower end. For the value, I did wish they provided more food. Staff is friendly. Owners/chefs made their ways around tables to check in. I'll be back for sure to try out different items on their menu! Extremly limited parking out front...otherwise, street parking. read more

Samia and George were absolutely fantastic hosts! We just had dinner here and are so glad we stumbled upon this gem. Samia is incredibly charismatic and passionate about the menu... she knows it inside and out, so definitely listen to her recommendations! George's cooking was amazing.... we tried the spinach pie and the kebi, and both were delicious. You can truly taste the love and care that go into their food. We can't wait to come back and try more dishes...what a wonderful and delicious find! read more

See all

This was one of the WORST dining experiences I've had. I ordered the quzi expecting a traditional lamb dish, but instead got dry, shredded meat instead of a proper lamb chunk. Our group of six felt the same--none of us enjoyed our meals. The staff tried to act humorous and witty, but none of us was laughing. To make things worse, we were hit with a 20% service charge that was only mentioned on the dessert and appetizer menu--not on the entrées menu (which was a completely a different menu). When I questioned it, the woman handling the bill was drinking on the job and responded with an incredibly rude attitude. Food: 2/10 Service: 1/10 Overall, I would not recommend this place. read more

I love the cozy vibe in here, the oven is so cool! Service very competent and friendly. The food was so good! I want to return soon and try everything they have on the menu, yum! Parking was hard but we parked on the street. It was worth it and I'll definitely be back. read more

Best food, best service,and amazing hospitality. Ambiance is great, and you feel welcomed from the second you enter the restaurant. I definitely received Alforon! read more

My first time trying Lebanese food, and this place has been on my list for a while. So when I visited San Diego, I sprung on the opportunity to give it a try. I came at dinnertime on a Saturday with a sizable party. Superb: Sayyadieh (Fisherman's Rice) - a flavorful rice dish with crispy but tender tilapia on it. Really well done. I don't typically consider tilapia to be the star of any dish, but it was certainly a standout. Kafta Bajeen - the flatbreads here are amazing, and this one is topped with kafta (mincemeat). Definitely would order this again. Baba Ghanouj - the flavor of this dip is top tier. The smokiness of the eggplant really shines through. Mint Lemonade - super refreshing beverage with nothing but the taste of fresh lemons and lots of mint. Good: Ouzi Lamb - tender chunks of lamb which flavor the rice below. Good mixed in with some labneh. I did find it a little bit one note in flavor, but still well done. Hummus - Standard fare hummus, but well executed. Ok: Alforon Grape Leaves - wanted to try these since they are unique to middle eastern cuisine. Overall, I thought they were just alright. Perhaps I'm lacking the nostalgia of eating these homemade! Tabbouli Salad - a little bit on the sour side, but a decent accompaniment to all the heavy dishes we ordered. Overall the food here is excellent and also unique. We met the owner of the restaurant during our meal and the head chef was our server. From our interaction with them both, I can tell they have a love and passion for what they're doing here, as well as value for what their guests experience. Gotta give them props to devoting to us their attention. Can't wait to be back again! read more

See all

Holy smokes, this was a top tier experience!! The food is BOMB and the service was exceptional. When I told our server/owner how great the food was she was kind of like 'I know, right?' Lol. No false modesty - she knows they're killing it. We had the fava beans (sounds ordinary but was anything but), the majbous, a very aromatic chicken dish with rice cooked with a bit of fruit - delicious - plus a flatbread of cheese & spinach. So yummy. Also DO NOT MISS their blended lemon/mint drink. Seriously, an absolute must. So fresh, so delicious, and "made with love" as our delightful server told us. Food experience, cultural experience, I don't know how I didn't know about Alforon. 10 out of 10! read more

The food was amazing. Extremely fresh and loaded with flavor. The service was a bit slow but worth the wait as the service was personal the owner even offering to hold my nephew so his parents could eat in peace! The ambiance was befitting of the culture and food. Excited to go back! I recommend the shawarma fries! read more

The food, the people, the ambiance, and the chef coming out to check on things. The lamb melts in your mouth and when the hostess (owner) remembers your name and gives you a high five for silly reasons, this is a sign of a place you need to come back to-not just to eat incredible food work that "hole in the wall vibe" that is so unique to great, diverse cities. read more

Alforon - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

It's okay. We ordered beef shawarma, kibble, falafel wrap, and lamb kabobs. The food was a bit pricey for the quality. The falafel wraps were very bland. All you taste is the pita. The pickled vegetables were flavorless. The falafel was flavorless. I was told that this was the highlight of their menu. Maybe it was an off day or maybe they changed the recipe, but I was disappointed. I wouldn't recommend it. The shawarma was bland too. You can taste a bit of herbs in there. I guess if you're not a fan of spices or bold flavors you might like this. The lamb was the same. The rice was nice. Not too dry. The star of the show was the Kibbeh. Pretty expensive for two, but at least it tasted good. The outside was crispy and the inside was juicy. The inside was fragrant. I would recommend these. Overall, I was disappointed but would probably come back for the Kibbeh. read more

Alforon - Beef shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

This is a great spot to get your fix for Lebanese food! Everything here is amazing. My all time favorites here are their flat breads, such as their chicken tawook & the shawarma. We've also tried their appetizers such as the kibbie, which is a ball of fried beef, nuts & veggies; their grape leaves, which are stuffed with veggies & seasonings. Both were great. Also, Apparently it gets packed here so some people call ahead to make reservations, so keep that in mind! read more

See all

I definitely recommend giving this place a try. The inside looks much bigger than it seems from the outside and the staff was all incredibly helpful. We had a few questions about the menu and they were happy to answer all of our questions. They also asked "do you want my recommendation?" And you should say "yes" every time. The lamb was cooked perfectly and I loved the flatbread that we all got to share. Looking forward to coming again! Oh and it was definitely the best felafel I've ever had too! read more

See all

Visited our favorite Lebanese restaurant again. Food and ambience is amazing. But the people are more. They treat you like family. It's like going back home to have a home made food. read more

Alforon - Uncle George and Auntie Samia (owners). - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

I'm not sure what these positive reviews are. The food here is mid at best and clearly not good at worst. The hummus has no flavor and the olive oil is not good quality so it's like a mouthful of canola oil. The babaghanoush also had very little flavor. The falafel was definitely from frozen. We also got a dessert that was full of artificial rose/hibiscus, it was not good. read more

WOW did this place meet their reviews! We enjoyed everything ordered and part of the charm is absolutely the owners interacting with the customers. They helped mom decide what to order whereas I was in the mood to explore. We even found something for dad that made him happy (he's your standard hamburg or Costco hot dog kinda guy!). We ordered enough that we were to have a full meal the next day! Lebanese Moussaka was incredible. Eggplant base with chickpeas and other ingredients it wasn't what we're accustomed to having but really hit the spot. The bread other items were served on were out of this world delicious! And dessert was a really wonderful sweet surprise. We'll be back! read more

See all

My friend and I went to Alforon restaurant on January 31. Although this is a highly rated restaurant, we just did not like the food, the presentation and the taste. We did not enjoy the consistency, we conclude that we are just not the right clientele for this place. Since taste is a personal experience, the customers, who enjoy this place, can continue being served there. We will go somewhere else where we can find our tastes and choices served and pleased. read more

Just like all the other reviews said, this place is a must try!! The food was soooo flavorful!! SO GOOD!! The service was amazing. They really make an effort to get to know their customers and provide the best experience! I tried the Shawarma flatbread and thinking about it makes my mouth water. It's PACKED with meat. Loved the fresh tomatoes and sauce. Flatbread itself was not dry. Loved the flavor. 1 of their flatbreads is def enough for 1 person, I barely finished mine. Next time I definitely want to try more items!! So excited read more

Alforon - Shawarma Flat Bread - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California