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    Tarbosh Mediterranean Restaurant

    4.1 (225 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    TARBOSH MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Wrap
    Mar B.

    $70 and really was not great. Lamb shank was soft for the most part but lacked seasoning/good flavor. Rice is over 'seasoned' (nutmeg/cinnamon?) yet unflavorful. Personally prefer a more Arab style rice-- ghee/butter, fluffy or even something with yellow raisins (sweet contrast) or pine nuts... anything. Shawarma wrap was basic, ate some of it but meat was spongy, no flavor. Okay priced for $12. -- Tried hard to find anything in my fridge to make it taste better, salt, tahini, harissa, labne.. They forgot to give me a side I ordered that could have made our meals taste better. Door Dash only offers DD credit for missing items. Original pickup quote, 35mins, was not ready when I arrived (after notified it was ready), but they pieced it together at 44mins. The inside looked bright- they have a side patio that seemed nice in the nighttime hot El Cajon weather. It was busy which I get, just would have liked the order to be complete. Customer service was nice- employees are the front were great/friendly.

    Tarbosh is to die for.......

    This was my first time trying Tarbosh, and I'm so glad we decided to come here! I was actually debating between Tarbosh and Mal Al Sham, but I'm happy we started with Tarbosh. I arrived around noon, and the restaurant was pretty empty, so I was a little apprehensive at first. Thankfully, those worries disappeared as soon as the experience began. Sara was spectacular--friendly, welcoming, attentive, and made us feel right at home. The food also came out much faster than I expected. Most importantly, the food was absolutely delicious. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and exceeded my expectations. This was a fantastic first experience, and I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Highly recommend! P.s- bring an extra stomach. The amount of food you get for what you pay is nothing like American culture. You'll leave taking food home which is a good thing.

    Zaatar flatbread and labneh for breakfast.

    I love coming in the mornings for the zaatar flatbread and labneh. Friendly service. Clean. Super good Syrian food.

    Tarbosh Mini Combo | ميني كومبو طربوش
    Donald G.

    A recent lunch at Tarbosh provided a mixed experience. While the Mini Combo offered ample, standard fare, the hummus was notably bland. Service was efficient but impersonal, there were only three other tables while we were there. Parking is available in front of the restaurant

    Cirwan S.

    I came here for the buffet and it was the right move. Came here on Sunday and they had a bunch food. All you can eat ! All good the Mediterranean eats. Kabob, Dolma, shawarma, rice, salads& more! You name it they had it. My favorite was their dolma and it hit ! Also their kabobs were yummy and warm. They have drinks where you can pour yourself. My favorite was the yogurt drink. They have a sweets table. Fruit & baklava ! Also they have someone walking around pouring tee! Inside and outside dinning can't wait to come back and try their regular menu !! !

    Nell E.

    Tarbosh, new ish restaurant in town in El Cajon. Do keep in mind the restaurant is not an authentic Arabic restaurant, the owner, Elad Primosher is Israeli. This is a second review based on my second visit, this time I tried the buffet. wide selection of eats with a tarbosh hat on top. i enjoyed their kibble and meats, zucchini was a bit undercooked and egg plant not as flavorful as I like. lots of seating, large restaurant. $30 each for all you can eat buffet with drinks included.

    Bread

    So I didn't give this place either 5 stars or 1 star for several reasons. We ordered the Tarbosh Combo for 5 ( we were 3 only ) , which included kebab, shish tawook, chicken tikka, chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, and rice. First, the portion size was actually generous and easily enough for 5 people. The selection of items was also very good. Big credit to Sara and the chef behind the counter -- both were extremely welcoming, explained the menu very well, and even offered to adjust a few items for us despite it possibly being against restaurant policy. Great customer service. The restaurant clean and organized The rice was very well cooked, and the kebab was excellent. Everything was grilled over charcoal, which gave the food a much better authentic flavor. Now for the downsides: The shish tawook was unfortunately very bland and lacked proper seasoning or marinade. The chicken shawarma tasted more like plain chicken than actual shawarma. The beef shawarma was decent, but nothing special. The salad was average. The biggest disappointment was definitely the hummus. It honestly tasted like canned hummus with a little tahini added to it, and it had almost no flavor. In Mediterranean restaurants, hummus is one of the most important parts of the mezze. If the hummus is weak, it affects the whole experience. We visited around 10:30 PM, so I understand kitchens usually operate with fewer staff late at night and things may not be as fresh as during lunch or dinner rush hours. Still, proper seasoning and marinade are basic fundamentals in Mediterranean food and can make a huge difference in maintaining quality and reputation. I would strongly recommend improving the hummus recipe because it really stands out for the wrong reason. That said, we will visit again because many customers highly rated other dishes on the menu, and the service itself was genuinely very good. Pictures attached show most of the food was left untouched except the kebab

    Tasneem Y.

    This is one of the most delicious authentic Middle Eastern restaurants in the San Diego area. We have lived in the area for years and have not enjoyed any other restaurant as much as Tarboush. The whole experience is amazing every time we go, and the Sunday all-you-can-eat open buffet never disappoints. Every time we have been to this restaurant, the whole staff has been very welcoming. The food is very delicious and cooked to perfection.

    We got some of their breads to go. They were so good.

    We came from out of town found this place on Yelp and the food was so good. We met Sara who was our server who was super sweet. We even got some of their bread from their bakery to go. They were delicious, We lived five hours from here so I had to get some to go. Whenever we come back in town, we're definitely hitting this place back up. Highly recommend.

    Joy G.

    Came here with the Too Good To Go App for the first time for a "Savory Pastry" not knowing what to expect. Inside is clean and spacious. Staff was nice. Food...so yummy. Ive never had anything like these before. So flavorful! I will be coming back to try more food again.

    Kibbeh
    Pam B.

    Very spacious clean dinning area. Extremely friendly service ladies, loved the service staff! There were 2 ladies that really provided great service, even offered free fresh Pom juice as we waited. Always smiling, I felt very welcomed there. Options a little limited, compared to a few other Mediterranean places. Flavors were good. Textures could be better: Kebbeh had a lot of outer crust than filling, ratio made it hard/dry. Falafel wrap was very mushy, all of the falafels were smashed up inside of it. I was basically eating a chick pea mash, flavor though was still good. The square pastry had too much dry dough, made it kinda hard to eat, but again, the filling was very flavorful. If it wasn't for the texture of some of the items, I would have given it a full 5 stars. I will be checking out their brunch buffet though!

    Sandwich Beef Kabab

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    23 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

    The food was good and selection was huge, however not many gluten free options. I recommend the buffet on Sunday!

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    4 months ago

    The food was delicious, many great mediterranean options. It's very clean and the service was great. I highly recommend it!

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    Tarbosh Mediterranean Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tarbosh Mediterranean Restaurant

    How much is the Sunday buffet? How much is it for kids?

    It is $30 per person, also check their app might get a deal for more than 3-5 persons for $25. Kids $15.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Mal Al Sham -The Taste Of Damascus

    Mal Al Sham -The Taste Of Damascus

    4.2
    (662 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Holy huge portion sizes! I got the beef tikka and the beef was pretty tasty especially with the…read moregarlic (?) sauce. I really liked the flavor in the rice and salad that came with it as well. The salad was pretty fresh. I just thought the meat to rice ratio was pretty bad for this entree. There was sooo much rice, but only 2 kebabs :( My friend got the chicken shawarma tho and the meat to rice ratio seemed a lot better for that entree, so I probably wouldn't get the kebabs next time. The chicken was a little bit dry but still decent. It was nice that it was a sit down restaurant too, but it was kinda crazy that they charged for water :/

    One of my new fav restaurants in SD County! I don't go out to El Cajon much but I happened to be…read moreout there, so I decided to stop by after hearing so many good things about them and I'm so glad I did! I can easily say that Mal Al Sham is my new favorite place for Middle Eastern Food! They have so many great options on their menu but I ordered the Mixed Grill, Hummus, and Fries. The mixed grill came with a chicken kabob, chicken tikka, and two beef kabobs and rice - all the kabobs were well seasoned and the rice was so flavorful. Everything was delicious and the portion sizes are so generous. There was enough food for two people for two meals each. I ordered to go and the food came out quick after I ordered despite how busy they were. The downside is that the parking lot is extremely small. I'm really looking forward to coming back and trying other items.

    Photos
    Mal Al Sham a taste of Damascus, Syria cuisine in El Cajon.
    Mal Al Sham a taste of Damascus, Syria cuisine in El Cajon.
    Platter for (3 People) ( beef shawarma swapped out with chicken cream chop)
    Platter for (3 People) ( beef shawarma swapped out with chicken cream chop)
    Leftovers from two meals

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    Leftovers from two meals
    Mr Shawarma

    Mr Shawarma

    4.3
    (269 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    I rarely leave reviews, but I had to recognize Mohammad. We stopped by around 11 PM, and despite it…read morebeing late at night, his energy, attitude, and hospitality were absolutely outstanding. He treated us like valued guests, not like customers walking in near closing time. What impressed me most was that he genuinely seemed to care about our experience. He was friendly, attentive, made great recommendations, and even surprised us with a small piece of chocolate on the house. It's the little things like that that people remember. Restaurants are only as good as the people who represent them, and Mohammad is the kind of employee every business wishes they had. If management sees this, please recognize and support him--employees with this level of professionalism and kindness are rare. We'll definitely be back because of him. Thank you, Mohammad!

    I was really disappointed with my experience at Mr. Shawarma. The first thing I noticed was that…read moremany of the chairs were dirty and stained, which didn't leave a good impression. On top of that, the front doors were left wide open, allowing flies to come in and buzz around the restaurant while people were eating. Parking was also frustrating. Every parking space appeared to be limited to 30 minutes, which adds unnecessary pressure if you're trying to enjoy your meal. The food was another letdown. The prices are what you'd expect for a full adult meal, but the portions were so small they felt more appropriate for an infant than for a paying adult. It definitely wasn't worth the price. What bothered me the most was the service. One of the employees was snacking while taking my order, which came across as unprofessional. In the middle of everything, she suddenly left, and I later saw her moving her vehicle after it had been parked in a handicapped-accessible space. From what I observed, she did not appear to have a visible need for using that space. That, combined with the other issues, left a very poor impression. Overall, the cleanliness, tiny portion sizes, and lack of professionalism made this a disappointing experience. I won't be returning.

    Photos
    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.
    Mr Shawarma Rice, Mr Shawarma Fries & Hotdog
    Mr Shawarma Rice, Mr Shawarma Fries & Hotdog
    Chipotle Wrap Combo

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    Chipotle Wrap Combo
    Ali Baba Family Restaurant

    Ali Baba Family Restaurant

    4.1
    (924 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Feast for 4!
    Feast for 4!
    Pita Bread the Size of a Pizza
    Pita Bread the Size of a Pizza
    From the newly renovated parking lot =D

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    From the newly renovated parking lot =D
    Sinbad Mediterranean Cuisine

    Sinbad Mediterranean Cuisine

    4.2
    (72 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    It is one of the best restaurants in El Cajon. The staff consists of a lovely, cheerful family, and…read morethe food is top-notch; I always tell people about this place. Whenever I call to order, I say my signature line--"I want it very well-grilled"--and they recognize me immediately.

    Marooned by because our friend got takeout from this place and I absolutely loved the chicken. This…read morewas our first time here and it did not disappoint. The chicken was delicious - I also got the Sinbad burger. Chicken Tikka Plate: chicken was moist and fresh. The flavors were delightful. The rice had good flavor as well. It actually came with 3 small sides of hummus, garlic sauce, and beets. I've never really liked beets but I actually ate the beets this time because they were pickled. The hummus was alright. I didn't touch the garlic sauce but will do so tomorrow since I only had half the plate - the rest will be for lunch tomorrow. Sinbad Burger: the meat was super moist and juicy. It was actually a thin patty topped with beed shawarma. It was definitely delicious but what I really liked about it was the burger bun they used - it was soft and buttery. The fries were good as well but if I'm not mistaken, I think I got the fries from the prior customer who didn't want them (they then the fries back in the container where they kept them warm). Nevertheless they were good. I asked for a side of tzatziki sauce and it made the fries taste ever better. The staff was friendly. When we arrived the menu TVs weren't on so we had to wait for the English menu to become available (the menu is in Arabic but they have a man English one). Will I come back? Most definitely will because I need to try their other dishes. It's just a tad far but I'm willing to drive for good food.

    Photos
    Chicken Shawarma
    Chicken Shawarma
    Iraqi Kebab
    Iraqi Kebab
    Inside.

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    Inside.

    Tarbosh Mediterranean Restaurant - mediterranean - Updated July 2026

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