No one likes overcooked balls & dried out chicken, am I right? No need to worry about that here! We got hooked up with a delicious spread from Sababa from our catering company. Their falafels were smaller than most but super crunchy, flavorful and fried just right. Chicken grilled nicely, fluffy pita bread, smooth hummus, fresh cucumber salad, and a delightful carrots salad. I don't eat beets but my coworkers raved about the bright beet salad. The hummus was nice and creamy too, being the perfect accompaniment to the pita. I've been meaning to try Sababa for awhile and glad that our catering company delivered their delicious food. I'll be making a stop soon at their Kearny location for a delicious bowl. Delicious, healthy and great quality Med food is had here! read more

Four out of five stars. We adore it when we don't want to cook and want something healthy and light. The pita sandwich was fantastic, but the Greek salad was just okay. The portions were generous, and the prices were fair. The service was satisfactory. There's nothing more to say; they're just like the other restaurants in the area. Will return, but not frequently. read more

Hate to leave a bad review but the food really has no flavor. It's bland as a button. At least add salt!

A blind stop-in, not knowing the type of cuisine they served and did not check the reviews prior. I had a long afternoon at school and hadn't had anything to eat all day but coffee, but I had to haul ass to work. I was HONGRY, yet picky as I've already had my fill of Asian cuisine for the week and I save Mexican food for the weekends as a treat to myself. I walked in and got acquainted with the menu. Heard a voice from behind asking me if I had any questions about the menu and I looked over to find a friendly face to greet me with a smile. No questions- the menu was easy enough to follow. I went with the rice with grilled chicken and Moroccan salad. The man said I had chosen well. and I did look super tasty in the to-go container. I paid, took my food, said my thank-yous, and went off on my merrily way. I got to work and unboxed my mystery lunch, and it looked a bit dry- I did, however, arrive at Sababa moments before closing, so I got the end bits of their pans. I didn't care; sometimes those parts are the tastiest. It smelled delightful, and they still managed to make it look appealing with the tahini sauce and garnishes on top. AND it did taste good! I scarfed it down like someone was going to walk into the room and take it from me. I would have been heartbroken if I offered some and they'd accepted. So I ate quickly, which gave me those painful hiccups in the end. But I was happy, energized and ready to work. I plan to go back again during their peak lunch hours. Fast-casual, excellent service, hearty food, yet healthy. I am so glad Sababa worked out well for me that day. read more

Outstanding fresh falafel! I line in Orange County and go out of my way to get lunch here if I am in the city!

This place is great - simple menu but enough permutations to make it interesting to return to from time to time. It's easy to order - choose your base (hummus, rice, or a pita sandwich), choose your protein (falafel, chicken, kofta, or eggplant), and then choose from an array of excellent salads. Because everything is so clear, the ordering process is quick and efficient. I personally like the hummus + 3 salads option, because in my opinion the salads are the highlight of the meal. The quinoa, cauliflower, and Israeli salad are my favorites, but you can't go wrong with the red cabbage or the beets either. Regarding the protein, the kofta is good but a little underflavored and dry. Falafel is good, as is the chicken. Can't comment on the eggplant since I've never liked eggplant, but it was well-liked by a dining companion recently. As mentioned, service is pretty quick. Not much space to sit and eat, but most people take their food to go anyway. read more

Yum! Really filling, great value. I ordered a bowl with hummus, half falafel, half eggplant, carrots, roasted beets, lightly pickled cabbage. The creamy feta is worth it for a small $1 up-charge. Recommend a piece of their warm pita for scooping up the goodness for another $1. I was there 30 minutes before closing and they were still making fresh falafel (not sitting out for hours). Pro-tip, stop at the counter for some pickled veg and a splash of the spicy green sauce. $15 for a filling, healthy meal. Recommend! read more

Sababa - Beets, carrots, cabbage, eggplant, falafel, feta- tasty! - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I checked out Sababa when I was in SF on Fri 9/23/16. It's a small place with some seating, it's cramped inside, I think I saw a few tables outside. This place is only open M-F from 11-3pm, I wish it was open for dinner and weekends. you can pick Bowl $12 or Hummus $11 or Pita Sandwich $10, pick your protein, choose your salads, extras $1ea, and drink $2-7 if you want. I picked Pita Sandwch $10 with fried Eggplant, then I wanted cauliflower in it, not suppose to get it he said but he gave me some anyways. The pita was Awesome! Hand made and really chewy and soft. Eggplant was chewy, I liked it ok wish it was baba ganoush instead plus it came with an egg, also in the pita sandwich was hummus, Israeli salad, cabbage, tahini, pickles. Get the Green sauce if you like it spicy. Yellow was just ok. Limited seating in their small dining area. read more

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Amazing. Generous falafel to other ingredients ratio, very crunchy fresh and flavorful. Ill be back.

When a former colleague said this place had the best falafel outside of Tel Aviv, I was skeptical. It seemed a bit of an exaggeration considering that San Francisco is no match for NYC's or LA's Israeli food scene. Nonetheless, I made a mental note to check it out next time I was in the FiDi neighborhood. While I wouldn't say that Sababa's falafels are necessarily better than the best ones I've had in the San Fernando Valley or Paris, it's a close call. And, I'm not exaggerating. Fresh and crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, with a tender, fluffy consistency, these falafels are savory and with just the right amount of spice and oil. The portions are generous across the board and the restaurant provides free toppings like pickles, carrots, and sauces. This casual Pita Bar is a great choice for a quick, healthy bite, even with its somewhat limited menu. I would recommend adding desserts (I'm thinking muhallebi or halva) and hot drinks to their menu. A nice cup of Israeli cardamom coffee or tea would also be a great complement to their tasty meals. Also, it wouldn't hurt to play authentic Israeli music (at least Middle Eastern) rather than lame pop songs in any other language. Just saying... read more

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Yum! This is a great option if you're trying to feel healthy. I got the falafel bowl here with extra falafel, and I just love how the crispy outsides give way to nice, warm chickpea. You can add in three different salads, plus you get a huge dollop of hummus. I wasn't a huge fan of the carrot salad, but I liked the Moroccan salad. There are some extra sauces you can add on, but I would not recommend them - they didn't taste that great to me. The pita is warm and has generous pockets for you to cram your salad and falafel! Or rip it up and dip it in hummus, whatever floats your boat. I would definitely just buy the falafel here on its own instead of wasting my time with all that other stuff. read more

Sababa - Falafel bowl with extra falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

3.5 Stars Hummus Bowl + half chicken and half kofta + pita bread set me back almost $17 so the big question is, was it worth it? Kofta - properly seasoned, good texture and a good portion Chicken - again good portion but underwhelming in seasoning Quinoa Tabouli - fresh but lacked seasoning Roasted cauliflower - nice hit of heat and texture Roasted beats - added a nice creamy element, seasoning didn't come through as strong Hummus - creamy and seasoned fine Pita - good chew and flavor Side sauces at the condiment area were nice additions that really helped to add punch of flavor Overall Thoughts A Middle Eastern Chipotle that stays true to their roots but for the price it's not an easy lunch on the wallet. The portion size is good so sharing would be highly encouraged to help save up to 50%! read more

Sababa - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great food :) while on one of my trips to San Francisco at 8 pm not many places are open in the middle of the week, I am happy this spot was open. I love Mediterranean food and this spot hit the spot :) they have great Falafel - made on the spot - sizzling hot. The salads are fresh and the Hummus was great. The pita's are great and worth it. Pricing was also good. The place is clean and they work quickly - my order was ready in 5 min. It is not a huge spot so I wouldn't say it is great for groups but if you are between 1-4 you can have seating. To go is a great option. read more

Mediocre food. Will not let you use the restroom even if you order a ton of food. They tell you to go to super duper. Won't even give you a cup of tap water either. Try to hustle you into buying a plastic bottle of water. Take your business elsewhere. read more

A great spot for lunch! All of the ingredients in the bowl that I ordered tasted fresh, were plentiful and had good flavor. I went with the kofta bowl which included ground beef patties, hummus, cauliflower, purple cabbage, and quinoa tabouli. I would definitely order this again for the great and filling meal at an affordable price! I would recommend getting a little sauce on the side at the sauce and silverware station if you like things saucey like I do! They don't put enough on the meal for me, which is fine - I just add more after paying. I went at 11:30 before the line gets long and it was a smart choice. There were 2 of us when I arrived and 6 new people had arrived by the time I paid. Go earlier and save yourself a little bit of the usual wait. read more

Sababa - Kofta bowl with quinoa - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tasty! Fresh light and healthy. I love their warm pita bread and crunchy tasty ingredients. Will be back again!

Sababa means "cool" in Hebrew and boy, is this place cool! I love when there's a simple menu and everything on it looks delicious. From freshly baked pita bread to a colorful spread of Middle Eastern salads to authentic tasting hummus, I feel like I'm back on the streets of Tel Aviv, not downtown SF. I've been trying to find great Israeli food in the city and Sababa really hits the spot every time. It's a great fast casual model with a "make your own pita/bowl/rice" bar. I've tried both the pita sandwich (stuffed to the brim with hummus and salad) as well as the bowl (hummus, protein, and three salads). For proteins, I'd recommend the falafel or chicken and you can't go wrong with the salads. I have trouble finishing the bowl as the quantity is generous and the meal itself is so filling (especially with hot pita straight from the oven). If you're looking for some of the best Middle Eastern food in the city, look no further. read more

Sababa - Chicken bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

One word: yum. There are a lot of "Chipotle style" restaurants out there. It appears to be one of the most popular formats for new fast casual restaurants. This is by far the best iteration of a Chipotle style restaurant I ever tried in terms of taste and freshness, and I am including Chipotle. I have tried other Mediterranean fast casual restaurants and they don't come close to authenticity or flavor. First of all, the pita here is some of the best I ever had. Warm, soft and fluffy, but able to hold a TON of filling. Get the pita, seriously. Second of all, plenty of places serve falafel (and this place has good falafel), but very few places offer sabich, an Israeli eggplant sandwich. Sabich is literally the most indulgent vegetarian healthy meal you could possibly put in your pie hole. The eggplant literally tastes caramelized and melts in your mouth. Paired with the perfectly boiled egg, hummus, and tasty salads, all wrapped in a fluffy pita-it is the most delicious meal. Definitely try the mango sauce that they offer on the side for free to go with this. Tip-can't decide between sabich and falafel? You can ask for them to give you half and half. You can't get the boiled egg for free if you go half and half, so this choice is ideal for vegans or people who really don't want to decide between these too. I just wished it was closer to where I work. read more

Generous serving, with a substantial amount of protein. Tastes great too Cons: Expensive, lunch will set you back approx $12-15 Minimal seating read more

This spot is a gem! My coworkers had been coming for months and I'd always seen their colorful plates piled high with food, but had never taken a closer look until now. Lately I've been skimping on my veggies-- let's face it, when you're trying to order at a restaurant, veggies are generally some sort of side. Here, they will be the main draw for me in coming back, which I definitely will be. The style is a choose your own adventure Chipotle, but with middle eastern / Mediterranean fare. I got a hummus bowl with chicken. College dining hall chicken kinda ruined chicken for me (ugh, so dry) but this was moist and juicy in chicken flavor. The hummus was fairly neutral in flavor, which I prefer. The Israeli salad (tomato and cucumber) was fresh and lightly spiced, the quinoa was light, and the Moroccan carrot was also yum (and I don't even like carrot usually). I also got a rice and lentil plate with sabik (egg and fried egg plant). Oh my gosh, the eggplant. A slight fried crisp to the outside with melt in your mouth insides-- could make a vegetable hater reconsider veggies. I'm still dreaming about it. The egg almost reminded me of a soy sauce egg from Chinese cuisine-- nothing omg, but aite. Roasted beets and roasted cauliflower on this one were both great-- the beets weren't too strong in flavor and the cauliflower was cooked just enough to be crunchy but not raw. I know people rave about the pita here, and it surely is fluffy and light as a cloud. Then again, I don't have too many things to compare it against. Service was fast-- in and out in five minutes. Inside vibe was nice fast casual, not a date spot but a good catch up spot for quick meal with friends! read more

Sababa - So colorful and tasty! - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

A bit pricey, but quite delicious! The falafel is truly delightful and near-perfect. I also had hummus, Israeli salad, pickled cabbage and roasted cauliflower in a bowl - all ingredients were fresh, tasty and well-seasoned. All in all, a substantial and yummy lunch for $14. I only wish I had leftovers! read more

Very much deserving of this review! Excellent hummus, the falafel was excellent as well with great flavor, and loved the salads! I got the beets, quinoa tabouli (was awesome! Get this), and cauliflower. You can also add pickles afterward. Highly recommend this place! read more

Sababa - Falafel hummus bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

I don't go into the office much but when I do I can tell you that hands down, no contest, my favorite part is lunch. Today that lunch was from Sababa. It wasn't a place I would've gotten excited about or picked on my own, but at first bite of the eggplant option in the build your own bowl option I realized that I was very blessed because it's maybe the best affordable vegetarian lunch option in this area. And it was truly, truly incredible. Somehow that eggplant tasted like the kind of fried potatoes I like and every side I got was the perfect mix of light and energizing. Next time I'll be sure to request hot sauce because I think that would've really put it over the top. Oh- also worth noting is their packaging. Smart and I did no research but it looks environmentally friendly so I'm gonna go with that. read more

Falafel bowl was quite solid!! Got the beets and cauliflower. Favorite side was definitely the beets. Cheese added some nice creaminess. Their pita might also be the best in the city. Fluffy, fresh, and made in house!!! Love this place. read more

Sababa - Bowl with falafel! - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Literally always so fresh! Best tahini. Best pita! Never fails. Great every time! Recommend in person or even ordering on Door Dash.

Israeli street food - yes, it's a thing. And it's a very good thing! Sababa continues to stand out among all the FiDi lunch options. If you're tired of the same ol' burrito and sandwich spot, then this is a tasty, healthy alternative. My go-to order continues to be their Pita Sandwich with chicken which comes with Israeli salad (chopped tomato, cucumber, onion), hummus, cabbage tahini, and pickles) all packed snug inside a freshly baked house made pita. The whole meal will run you around $10 (not counting tax + tip). And trust me, you get plenty of delicious bang for your buck. My Pita Sandwich was enough for two meals! * Make sure to request their hot sauce on the side! read more

One of my favorite fast food places in SF now. Great lunch option especially if you work in the area! Food: The menu is pleasingly simple, yet enough. You can order a pita sandwich or a bowl/salad, with various types of proteins and salads. I went with the pita sandwich after overhearing the person in front of me in line telling her friend that the pita sandwich is amazing. AND IT WAS THE BEST PITA SANDWICH I EVER HAD! The pita bread is STUFFED. It comes with a pre-set mix of salads and spread, but you can choose the protein. The setup is kind of like Chipotle style. I went with chicken. Eating this thing reminded me of eating a burrito, due to how filling it was, but it was healthy! And while it tastes clean, it also tastes delicious. Whatever ingredients they decided to put into this pita sandwich, you don't have to mess with it. It'll be good. Verdict: Sababa is a gem. The quality stands out. It can be easily overlooked amongst the dense area of downtown and the amount of Mediterranean food options nearby. I happened to walk into it without looking it up and I am sure glad I did! Easy 5 stars from me. read more

Sababa - Pita sandwich with chicken. With a few big bites taken out of it. - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best falafel / halal / middle eastern / Israeli / whatever ya wanna call it food in the city, hands down! You can tell everything is made fresh each day. In house. They also have the best Side salads and accompaniments / condiments to go with their choices of main falafel, chicken, and beef kofta main entrée choices. The side salads are so tasty and addictive they offer additional portions just on their own as a side offering in case you just need to stop by for your fix of their tomato and cucumber Israeli salad which is out of this world, or their shredded carrot salad, beet salad, or amazingly tasty cauliflower salad. The chutneys and pickled onions, mangoes, etc. at their self-serve condiments station allow you to further customize your tasting experience. You really can get in every single taste: savory, salty, sweet, sour, umami -- this place is special-- a neighborhood hidden gem. Just be sure to show up during open hours-- they close for awhile between 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM and then open again til 10 PM I believe. Check the hours on here to be sure I'm up to date but I just checked and that's the current info. Very worth a try, a neighborhood hidden gem you want to put in your mouth. read more

Best Pita Bread, fresh choices, great helpful staff. I would definitely comeback here for some other Mediterranean recipe. Yummy hummus, soft beef, extra tasty falafel, fresh warm pita made at the location, Tahini.....just pure lunch treat. We didn't plan to eat here, but after seeing amazing yummilicious choices and fresh pita bread we quickly changed our plans and eat one of the best foods in Bay Area. Thanks Sababa! read more

Sababa - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

In short... well worth the line you'll undoubtedly see at lunch. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite lunch spots. At lunch time on a Thursday, the line was out the door and wrapped past the restaurant to the place next door. I waited maybe 15 minutes to order and receive my food, but it was worth it. The options are simple, but I keep going for the bowl option with beef kofta. This is beef over a bed of hummus with 3 salads as sides. The beef is extremely flavorful and cooked to a wonderful medium rare, which surprised me since ground meet is usually overcooked. The hummus is smooth and heavenly. The salads are tasty. Also, the bowl is a huge amount of food, I wish I had weighed it because it must have been 3-4lbs of food. read more

Sababa - Menu circa June 2017 - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Really enjoyed this place. Lots of healthy middle eastern option. Plus the falafel was GREAT! Very light - not dense. And the spicy green sauce is a must. read more

Fantastic flavors fresh and delicious and gluten free except the pitas. Get the sauces mango and hot sauce are very good. Each salad is packed with flavor too. Customize your favorite combinations. There are no bad choices ! read more

Stuffed pita bread? Yum!! The pita sandwich was super stuffed and satisfying. Perfect amount of veggies and meat. Seemed like a healthy choice! The place was pretty pricey in my opinion, but overall this was a good spot for a quick lunch. read more

Sababa - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place was super tasty! Its a bit expensive but you get a very filling stuffed pita! read more

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Very impressed with Sababa! I went in at around 2 pm for a late lunch and there was no line. The interior is bright and clean! I ordered my falafel bowl along the windows and quickly paid. My falafel bowl ($12) came with hummus and my choice of three side salads. I chose the roasted beets, roasted cauliflower, and the Israeli salad (tomatoes and cucumbers). I was really happy with what I ordered! Don't forget to get some pickled veggies on the side and grab their homemade sauces! I enjoyed the mango sauce as well as the spicy one. Both sauces went with all the components of the bowl, and the pickled veggies added a nice tang of freshness. The falafels were also noteworthy--The guy that took my order let me know that he was dropping them into the fryer when I put my order in, so they were hot and crispy when I ate them! I also liked how they didn't skimp on the falafels (I had at least 8-10 of them), and they add tahini sauce on top. The employees were very friendly and service was pretty quick. I can see why there's a line out the door during lunch because Sababa has big portions and everything seems very healthy. I would love to come back and try their pita wraps. The handheld boxes look so cute! My only gripe is that it's a bit on the pricier side. read more

Sababa - Hummus bowl! - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is an authentic Tel-Aviv/Israeli style pita place that definitely has the California (think Chipotle meets middle eastern place) touch to it. They Pita's are made in-house every day and I must say probably the best pita I have had in US. The menu consist of pita sandwiches or bowls that come with three side salads. Pita sandwiches are served with Israeli salads, cabbage and pickles. If you choose a bowl you have choice of three salads to choose from: shredded carrots, cauliflower, beets and Quinoa couscous. My favorites is Cauliflower and Beets salad. They have additional toppings such as Feta cheese, and Avocado! This place is definetly Keto/Paleo/Vegan friendly. I am a vegetarian so I have tried Falafel and Sabah (friend eggplant) and they are absolutely the best I have had. My colleagues have tried chicken and meat and they absolutely love it. The portions are super generous. They do have hot sauce, pickled onions and carrots to add as topping. Overall welcome addition to downtown San Francisco! read more

Another takeout place in the heart of FiDi. Cool concept and I like the efficiency but the food could use some work. Hummus- lacked flavor and tahini, it was basically garbanzo beans which made it pasty and heavy. Chicken- was good, could use more flavor Carrot salad-had strange flavor, wasn't a fan, don't know what spice it was Israeli salad- looked mushy and wax all cucumbers hardly any tomatoes or onions Beet salad- mixed with the cheese looked like it was a mayo dressing Falafel- were dense and hard It's nice to have a healthy option I can customize but hopefully they will improve the recipes. read more

Easily one of the best places to get quick food in the financial district. Very fast, not that expensive, very tasty. Additionally, Sababa moonlights as a box company, and has one of the best food-packing methods on the planet. They should license the design to every other pita or sandwich company in the bay and make $$$$$. Highly recommend the pita sandwich with everything on it. Their green sauce is also worth its weight in printer ink and I'd buy it in bulk if I could. read more

Some people are calling this "the Chipotle of Mediterranean food". That's fair. It is similar to Chipotle in the way your order and the process of assembly - with the caveat of I don't think this is a chain, just the one storefront. By 12pm on a weekday there is a line - we got there at the sweet spot time of 11:45am and there were only about 5 people in line before us. It was a rainy day - so there were no tables set up outside. Most seats were filled - we actually dig get a table when some people left. There is a very small eat in area (only room for about 18 people to sit and eat). The ordering seems a bit chaotic, but don't worry - the tall guy at the register is paying attention and will get you your correct order. TIP - you can mix and match 2 proteins to try more things. I had a falafel and Kofta mixed sandwich. The sandwiches ARE pricier than I want to spend at lunch - AND they are huge. I would be willing to pay more than 1/2 price for a 1/2 portion - or a small sandwich for say $6.50. I am also concerned about the tops of the fresh pitas they cut off and maybe get disposed of? (Seinfeldian "Muffin stumps") - I suggest they figure a way to get a little olive oil and herbs on them and bake them to serve alongside a side order of hummus - More profit, less waste. My colleagues LOVED this place, I liked it a lot but my preference is for The Flying Falafel on Market St. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-flying-falafel-san-francisco-3?osq=falafel read more

Falafel heaven! Hummus underworld. Tabouli lost somewhere in between. Mealpal rules everything around me. Well, it rules my lunch world. Pros: + Freshly made, had to wait a little bit for my Mealpal pick up + Their falafels are the real deal + Friendly and efficient service Cons: - I've had better tabouli (Truly Mediterranean) - Hummus was not cracking (not that I normally like hummus...but that Kokkari hummus...ok that's not a fair comparison...) Mealpal was offering their falafel bowl, so I gave this place a shot. I'm a fan of falafels and tabouli, so I'm kinda torn about the 3 stars. The falafels were killer but the tabouli fell flat. Didn't care much for the cauliflower and red cabbage, but they weren't bad. Hummus was not for me. Might need to try that pita. Will try not to use Kokkari as my standard. Would've been a 4 Star but...TABOULI TABOULI TABOULI! So close! read more