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    Tarbosh Mediterranean Restaurant

    4.1 (215 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

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    TARBOSH MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

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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.

    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

    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 !! !

    This restaurant is so good! We were looking for somewhere to eat as we spent the day in SD. The customer service, the food, and the dessert was exceptional! I would 100% recommend. Food was authentic and served fairly quickly, the employees were also so friendly with us.

    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.

    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.

    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

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    1 month ago

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    1 month ago

    best food in el cajon. Im eating here every day. you should come visit here. Mediterranean food

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    2 months ago

    The food was amazing, Sara was my waitress and she was very kind, the restaurant was brightly lit and clean.

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    4 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    Elad P.

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    2 months ago

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    Elad P.

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    5 days ago

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    Elad P.

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    3 months ago

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    3 days ago

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    1 month ago

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    Elad P.

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    18 days ago

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    Elad P.

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    20 hours ago

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    11 months ago

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    Elad P.

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    11 months ago

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    19 days ago

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    8 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    Elad P.

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    27 days 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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    10 months ago

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    Elad P.

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    1 year ago

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    4 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    Elad P.

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    14 days ago

    The food was super delicious and the service was amazing I highly recommend eating here.

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    17 days ago

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    3 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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    10 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

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    Page 1 of 6

    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!

    Ali Baba Family Restaurant - Look for this Sign

    Ali Baba Family Restaurant

    4.1(927 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    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.

    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!

    Photos
    Ali Baba Family Restaurant - Feast for 4!

    Feast for 4!

    Ali Baba Family Restaurant - Pita Bread the Size of a Pizza

    Pita Bread the Size of a Pizza

    Ali Baba Family Restaurant - From the newly renovated parking lot =D

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    From the newly renovated parking lot =D

    Shawarma Guys - Chicken California Shawarma Wrap

    Shawarma Guys

    4.7(1.1k reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$
    Kid friendly
    Casual dining

    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!

    Photos
    Shawarma Guys - Ordering counter

    Ordering counter

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

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

    Shawarma Guys - The combo wagyu beef & chicken shawarma !

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    The combo wagyu beef & chicken shawarma !

    Ney Restaurant - Baba Ghanoush! Best in town!

    Ney Restaurant

    4.6(367 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    I loved this place! The night before coming here for takeout, I had Mediterranean food down at…read moreSeaport Village. It was tasty and satisfying... but this place BLEW MY MIND. The moment I walked in, I was warmly greeted and asked if I wanted a table for one. I said no, I was hoping to order takeout, and she kindly invited me to sit at the bar while I looked over the menu. Right away, the atmosphere felt welcoming, beautiful, and relaxed. I ordered my food, sipped my water, and honestly didn't think I had ordered that much. Then she came out with multiple filled brown bags of food! First of all, the prices were amazing. Second... the food was TOP NOTCH and completely different from what I had the night before. Everything was packed with flavor without being overloaded with salt. Fresh, vibrant, rich, and incredibly satisfying. The waitress/hostess was knowledgeable, friendly, and gave great recommendations on what to try. You can tell the staff truly cares about the experience. I will absolutely be back the next time I visit San Diego again. And not that I recommend eating while driving ... but the next day on my drive back to Ventura County, I spread out my leftovers and happily snacked on hummus, baba ghanoush, and dolma all the way home. That alone says everything about how good this place was.

    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.

    Photos
    Ney Restaurant - Happy Dinner Time

    Happy Dinner Time

    Ney Restaurant - Filet Mignon Tikka with Baryani - delicious too

    Filet Mignon Tikka with Baryani - delicious too

    Ney Restaurant - A hidden gem, look for it.

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    A hidden gem, look for it.

    Mr Shawarma - Mr Shawarma Rice

    Mr Shawarma

    4.3(251 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    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.

    We ended up here around 9:30 PM, absolutely starving after driving all the way from Los Angeles--so…read moreexpectations were high and patience was low. Thankfully, this place delivered on every level. The food was incredible--fresh, flavorful, and exactly what we needed after a long drive. Everything came out quickly without sacrificing quality, which we really appreciated. What truly made the experience stand out, though, was the service. Abdullah took great care of us from start to finish. He gave spot-on recommendations, made sure everything came out fresh, and kept things moving without ever making us feel rushed. He clearly knows the menu and genuinely cares about the experience. Highly recommend checking this place out--and definitely ask for Abdullah. He's your guy. We'll absolutely be back.

    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.

    Mr Shawarma - Mr Shawarma Rice, Mr Shawarma Fries & Hotdog

    Mr Shawarma Rice, Mr Shawarma Fries & Hotdog

    Mr Shawarma - Chipotle Wrap Combo

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    Chipotle Wrap Combo

    Tarbosh Mediterranean Restaurant - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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