Since it was my first time trying Lebanese cuisine, I wasn't sure what to order. So one of the member recommended a few dishes, and every single recommendation was spot on. The beef was definitely the highlight of the meal(MUST TRY!!!) It was incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Honestly, it was so delicious I could've eaten it with just a bowl of rice. The burger was another pleasant surprise. It was juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. I also tried Lemon and apple sodas made with 100% natural beet sugar, which was something I'd never had before. The sweetness tasted much cleaner and lighter than a regular Coke, and it paired really well with the food. I was lucky enough to visit on the day of their Summer Concert, so after dinner I sat outside and enjoyed the live music. Families were relaxing on the lawn, kids were playing, people were walking their dogs along the nearby trails, and everyone was simply enjoying the beautiful summer evening. The peaceful atmosphere made the whole experience even more memorable. If you're curious about Lebanese food and looking for a great place for your first experience, I highly recommend starting here. I enjoy sharing honest food and café reviews around Southern California. If you'd like to see more, feel free to check out my Instagram: @caligirl_mj. read more

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Zait and Zaatar is a great spot for Lebanese food in Aliso Viejo! It's located in a large plaza with plenty of restaurants and shops, making it convenient place to stop for lunch or dinner. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and has a warm, authentic feel. The service was fast, and our food came out quickly even though we ordered several different dishes. We started with the Combo (Cheese & Zaatar) Lebanese Manoucheh. It reminded us of a Lebanese-style pizza with delicious and savory flavors. The Tabouleh was fresh, light, and refreshing. One of our favorites was the Arayes. The beef was incredibly flavorful and paired perfectly with the hummus. We also ordered the Beef Shawerma Arabi, and the shawarma was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. For dessert, we had the Nutella Wrap, which is made with saj bread and reminded us of a crepe. They were very generous with the Nutella, making it rich, and the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Overall, everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Between the authentic atmosphere, fast service, and delicious food, Zait and Zaatar is definitely worth checking out if you're craving Lebanese cuisine. We'll definitely be back to try more from the menu! read more

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genuinely incredible plate size. I hope to god they dont change anything about the plate menu fantastic!!! meat is tender and delicious. hopefully they get more business than the new panini kabob grill joint opening near them. f#ck that man support this local business! read more

Food was delish. Service was amazing!! I have been looking for a Lebanese restaurant for a while.

Omg!!! Some of the BEST Middle Eastern food I've had in a very long time. Dayum. Bomb food!!! Right away we were greeted with smiles and witnessed a very lively kitchen with tender meats being cooked on a vertical rotisserie and a hot oven with delicious pita breads being baked inside it. We decided we wanted to go all out and get literally every dish. We were super hungry, wanted to take home leftovers so we didn't hold back! We ordered a ton of dishes to share and try The appetizers were phenomenal. The Pita Bread was fresh and warm, hummus was perfect, tzatziki was phenomenal as was the flat breads, and fried cheese. To die for! TAKE NOTE: The Beef Arayes was by far my favorite appetizer. Super tasty! Next would be the Beef Shawarma Arabi. Definitely get this dish! The pickles and tahini sauce made this dish over the top! The main dishes were also amazing. We all got a mix of Beef and Chicken Shawarma's, salads, rice and more hummus. Got a chicken Shawarma wrap as well as some pita pockets with amazing fillings inside. Finished the night with a a delicious Nutella dessert we all shared. This place is on another level of food quality. It was all hot, not too salty, not too bland but just perfect. Fresh, filling and just the right portion sizes. Their pomegranate sauce is SUPER DELICIOUS! As was their garlic sauce, and tahini sauces that came with the entrees. Very casual atmosphere. Some of the customers started to sing and dance with the workers. Everyone just had a great time. Two very clean bathrooms as well. One for men and one for women. This is located in a very nice plaza with plenty of parking. Will definitely be back. Highly recommend eating here. 10 stars all the way. read more

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I was excited to see another Lebanese place open in Orange County since there aren't many around, so I stopped in to try it. The restaurant itself felt authentic, and the man making the food was very nice. Would I say it's the best Lebanese food I've had? No. The falafel wasn't very flavorful and didn't seem fully cooked. The chicken was fine but could have been seasoned better. The labneh was very good and had the right amount of flavor and garlic. If I went back, I don't think I'd order the same dishes, but I'd be open to trying something else. read more

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This popped up on my feed and since it hasn't been open that long, I was curious to check it out. I met up with a girlfriend who lives just up the street and happy we did!Heads up: it's a little tucked away between Buffalo Wild Wings and the Edwards movie theater, my friend had a hard time locating it at first but once you find it, it's worth it! We ordered the halloumi cheese and the veggie combo platter, while my gf went with the chicken shawarma. Portions were generous, everything tasted super fresh, and we loved watching dishes come out piping hot from their gas-fired brick stone oven. I gotta say, you can really taste the difference! The space itself isn't very big, but they do offer outdoor seating, which is a nice option. The staff were friendly, helpful, fast, and efficient. Pro tip: you order and pay first, there's no traditional server taking orders, which actually makes this a perfect place for quick meals and takeout. Super casual vibe, reasonably priced, and solid food all around. We'll definitely be back! read more

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We finally decided to check this place out and it didn't disappoint. The food, oh man, the quality and taste is really superb. Nothing was dry, or overly salted. I can see why the other location in Anaheim gets overly packed but not here.. at least when we came. I love the location, plenty of parking, so much space to dine inside and outside. Post meal the kids can run around in the park above. What more can you ask for? The gal who took our order was polite and patient with us as first timers here, so thank you for that. When you walk inside, it's decorated nicely, music is a plus and everything is made fresh as each plate arrived on our table so warm. Our kids enjoyed it and that's always a win for us as they can be picky at times. We are excited to have you here in our area and hope to come back soon. The hummus here.. incredibly smooth and creamy still having dreams about it.. read more

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I've had Zait & Zaatar bookmarked for a while and finally got to try it out. It's located at the Aliso Creek Town Center next to the movie theater. They have a little seating area inside and outside. One of the things that stands out here is they have a brick oven for their baked good and flat breads. I knew right as I was going to order that I was going to try one of their Kafta Arayes which was definitely worth trying as it was packed with flavor and had a good crunch to it. The next items I had ordered was the Grilled Sojuk and the Combo Shawerma Bowl which comes with Beef and Chicken Shawerma over fries, pickles and rice. While the Sojuk was good and tasty, the Shawerma was dry and disappointing. Even the sauce on the Chicken felt like it was ketchup and mayo mixed together. I did add some Lebneh to the order as that goes great with almost anything. It came along with their house baked pita bread as well. Over all there were items that were good and some I wasn't a fan of. Including their rice as it was just plain basmati with nothing much to it. But it's a place worth trying their baked goods and their Sojuk. read more

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My 1100th review is for Zait & Zaatar's 2nd location which opened up in Aliso Viejo. Their Anaheim location has been a popular Lebanese eatery for over 15 years and they specialize in manoucheh (baked flat breads). I have already paid them several visits and have been impressed each time. Kafta Arayes ($13) - This was a grilled pita pocket stuffed with seasoned ground beef, onions, and spices. It was so flavorful and quickly became one of my favorites. Combo Lebanese Manoucheh ($8) - This thinly baked flat bread was topped with zaatar and 4 kinds of cheeses. Loved the taste of this comforting and aromatic dish. Chicken Shawarma Arabi ($15) - Marinated chicken, fries, pickles and delicious garlic sauce highlighted this wrap. This chicken was so flavorful. Beef Shawarma Arabi ($15) - This thin wrap consisted of thinly sliced beef, tomato, onion, parsley, pickles and tahini sauce. The beef was so juicy and tender and definitely preferred this over the chicken one. Sheesh Tawook ($21) - This consisted of grilled chicken breast, garlic paste, pickles, hummus, salad, rice and 2 fresh baked small pita breads. Overall, I really enjoyed the flat breads here and would get them along with the arayes and beef shawarma. They have patio seating as well as indoor seating. It does get packed, and most customers get their food to go. read more

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A gem of a place for Lebanese food! So glad that OC has a nice option. Service is friendly and helpful, especially if you need recommendations on what to order. My favorite thing so far from Zait & Zaatar is hands down the Kafta Areyes. This is a must order for my every visit. Absolutely love the grilled, spiced meat-stuffed pita bread that is grilled until crispy. The kafta meat was seasoned well and the pita bread had the most delightful texture reminiscent of a crispy scallion pancake. Ambiance is casual but has some really cool decorations and music. We had a great dinner here so I'm sure we'll be back again soon. read more

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Wow, who would ever think that they would have great Lebanese food and Aliso Viejo? That's such a big surprise! They don't have a lot of gluten-free options, but it's super cute in here and in the middle of food paradise in the middle of South Orange County read more

The food is delicious and the portions are decent. The service is not overly friendly but they are efficient. I highly recommend the Chicken Shawerma plate if you want to start with a sample of what this place offers. You'll get chicken, salad, hummus and freshly baked bread. FYI they do not have free tap water. They sell water bottles and other canned and bottled beverages. read more

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The best food ever and friendly service , one of the best middle eastern food , one of the best Lebanese restaurants

Amazing food, service, and music. What more could you want? Plenty seating inside or outside right in the front. The staff is super friendly and attentive and there are so many options to choose from. We will go definitely go back. read more

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I love love this place. If you want an authentic experience, this is the place. Absolutely incredible shawarma! The flavors were truly out of this world, perfectly seasoned, tender, and wrapped in warm, fresh bread that made every bite amazing. The sides were just as delicious, especially the creamy slaw and crispy fries paired with the flavorful sauce. And the garlic sauce is out of this world, rich, creamy, and absolutely unforgettable. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. You can tell they take pride in their food and service. If you're looking for shawarma that is absolutely delicious and memorable, this place is a must try! read more

The falafel wrap tasted like baking soda and the chicken wrap only had chicken in it. Just like bland and made us feel gross at the end. The decorations were cool though read more

Zait & Zaatar - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

Right when you walk in you can feel the authenticity. The music, the decor, the vibe. The guy that helped me was very friendly. They offer so many different options, I wanted it all! The food was outstanding. I got the combo shawerma plate and a cheese and zaatar flat bread, the food was delicious and plated nicely. Not to mention that have a brick oven for the flat breads and pitas. I am so full but may have to try their sweets. I really hope this place stays in business! read more

Zait & Zaatar - Combo shawerma plate - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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This spot completely blew me away. The beef shawarma is cut fresh right in front of you and it's packed with flavor. The meat is super tender, perfectly seasoned, and has that smoky char that makes it irresistible. You can tell they really care about quality here. Their hummus is incredible. It's smooth, creamy, and full of flavor. It pairs perfectly with the shawarma and warm pita. Everything tastes fresh and made with love. The staff is so nice and the place feels really welcoming. You can smell the spices as soon as you walk in which instantly makes you hungry. If you're craving authentic shawarma or just want a spot that does Mediterranean food right, this is it. I'm already planning my next visit. read more

Zait & Zaatar - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

It's very bad sandwich shawarma I bought one chicken & one beef and I asked them to cut it fresh to make sure it's everything hot. But nobody response they give me two cold sandwich and the bread very old. I'm not recommend to anyone to go over there. read more

What a fantastic restaurant! My husband and I have eaten here twice so far and both times the customer service and food have been 5 star! Everyone has been kind, patient, friendly and prompt and the food so fresh, delicious! The garlic sauce or toum is authentic and flavorful, the beef shawarma has always been tender and moist. Serving sizes are generous and all the sides are excellent as well. The ambiance and decor is cozy and clean. Glad to have this establishment close by when I'm craving beef shawarma with strong garlic sauce! read more

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My new favorite spot in south OC! It gives you sit-down food at fast casual prices, generous portions for the money and freshly made to order. Highly recommend stopping by this new place especially if you've enjoyed their Anaheim location. Super high-quality ingredients for every dish, comforting fresh food, great flavors that work so well together, and super friendly service. I loved the garlic sauce so much!!! Do not skip this! Also the salad and pickles worked so well with the meat flavors, and the fluffy side bread was yummy. The Arayes is a must try as a meal or as an appetizer, perfect balance of filling to bread ratio. The sweet dark sauce is a nice touch. It's warm inside due to the oven cooking the delicious dishes but there's outside seating. My only recommendation is they invest in an ice machine so that the drinks can stay cold throughout the meal. read more

Zait & Zaatar - Spiced bread - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

Seems to be a new location of a well established restaurant.. I think this location opened in the last couple of months. Located in Aliso Viejo right next to the movie theater and in that center with a gazillion restaurants and shops, there is plenty of parking and a nice little grass area for the kids just outside. You can sit inside or outside but I recommend sitting outside as the music inside is very loud. You order at the counter and they bring your food to you. The chicken shawarma plate is plenty big enough to share... Drinks are a little awkward as there is a cooler where you can grab a bottle of whatever you want but there seems to be no fountain drinks? Total honesty here (as always)... chicken was good with wonderful flavors but it was slightly dry... other than that all good and definitely worth a try. read more

Zait & Zaatar - Bread that comes with the plate - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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Lebanese food done right! From the staff being super welcoming and cheerful to the great music playing to the tasty dishes, this is the place to be. I had a wonderful experience here on a night out. Since it was our first time, I asked for suggestions and ended up getting way too much. Nonetheless everything was delicious! We tried some of their most popular dishes: Lebanese Pizza - supreme pizza on steroids Combo Kabob Plate - as everything you need Chicken Shawarma Arabi - perfect on the go meal Fresh creamy Hummus - the best hummus I've had But the one you cannot leave without... the Halva Wrap (Halawah) -- sweet, nutty, and the perfect ending. The nostalgia I got from all these dishes earned a spot in my heart for sure! Come hungry as the portions are definitely family style and won't break the bank! If you love bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and meals that hit every craving... this spot needs to be on your list. read more

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Had the worst experience of my life here. Came in last Friday at around 7pm. Few other tables but nothing crazy. Ordered at 7:07, the food did not come out before 8 pm. We had them remake a sandwich 3 times because they keep putting the wrong stuff in it. I asked for my shwarma wrap with extra pickles and tomato but they gave it to me bland just meat, same did with other orders. We ordered 2 arabi sandwiches and they didn't give us fries they just gave us the side u see in the pic. We kept telling them to make the sandwiches and they kept making them Wrong that we gave up and asked for a plate of tomatoes and pickles and we fixed it ourselves. Very unprofessional very messy, not to mention the workers started fighting and cussing each other out. It was horrible, the service and the food are really bad, wasted 60$ I should have eaten at McDonald's. Do better read more

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Good and service was good their food portion is perfect. Food flavors like home made food I really enjoyed it! The kofta bowl could've used more sauce but the Philly and the chicken schwarma bowl were delish read more

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As a Lebanese American was excited to see a food place close to home so thought I'd give it a try. Ordered the kabob combo plate. It came out in less than 5 minutes which was nice but wondered why. The meat looked preformed and precooked. It was stiff and dry. Very disappointed! read more

My actual rating is 3.5 but given we don't have the option I opted for 4 stars instead. Tried Z&Z for the first time for takeout. Jonathan was very helpful and friendly so a 5 star for his great service. We ordered a beef and chicken shawarma, Arabi style. The highlight: great portion and fresh ingredients. As I was reading the menu I found the fillings for the chicken shawarma to be very bland so I asked them to make it exactly with the same ingredients as the beef shawarma. That made it much better. The issue we had with both the beef and chicken was the actual seasoning, if you like cinnamon you probably won't mind it but in my family we all dislike cinnamon in savory dishes so overall we didn't love the wraps because unfortunately cinnamon all we could taste. Both meets were tender and salt level was perfect. The coleslaw on the side wasn't great, fresh cabbage but the sauce is oily and no flavor. The fries was very stale so I'm not sure if it was sitting out for a while or freshly made, To their defense it takes 10-15 mins to get to our place so I'd like to try it fresh at their restaurant. If it wasn't for the cinnamon flavor I'd absolutely love the wraps. read more

Zait & Zaatar - Arabi chicken shawarma - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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I was really excited to check out Zait & Zaatar in the Aliso Viejo Town Center and had a chance during the Christmas tree lighting event that occurred in December. My husband and I decided to grab a bite from them while sitting on their patio. The menu is quite long and a little overwhelming. We decided on the chicken shawarma wrap, paid, and found our seats outside. The location cannot be beat as it is adjacent to the movie theater and there is a lot of foot traffic due to all the new businesses in the area. Our food arrived shortly after and we both tried it. The shawarma was okay. There was no sauce offered with it and I am really surprised that it was so dry. My husband even remarked that a little sauce would go a long way in making this a better item. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing. We will have to return to try other items on their extensive menu. read more

Zait & Zaatar - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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I stopped in during my weekday lunch break. The cashier was very sweet, but had trouble hearing my order and it ended up being entered incorrectly a few times, so I had to keep correcting it. I ordered the chicken shawarma salad. It took about 20 minutes to come out even though there wasn't a line ahead of me. I understand shawarma can take longer, but a heads-up would've been helpful since I was on a work break. I'll probably order ahead next time just to be safe. That said, the food itself was very fresh and tasty. The chicken was juicy and the salad was good -- I just wish the shawarma had a bit more of those warm, traditional spices. Service could use some improvement, but overall I enjoyed the meal and would come back to give it another try. read more

If you want to do Zait & Zaatar right, go with a group and order everything. We had four people and ordered 20 dishes. The table was a sea of plates, and honestly, we had to get creative just to make it all fit. This isn't just generic Mediterranean food--it's specifically, authentically Lebanese, and it's flawless. The Oven Makes the Difference! One of the best things about this place is their oven. They use a traditional pizza-style oven for all their breads, which gives the Pita, Areyas, and Flatbreads that perfect, slight char and a smoky depth you just can't get any other way. The pita arrives at the table warm, pillowy, and fresh every single time. The 20-Dish Deep Dive * The Cheese Plate: This was easily the most amazing cheese plate I have ever had. The quality and preparation were on another level. * The Hummus & Spicy Hummus: The regular hummus is silk, but the Spicy Hummus is a must-order. It has this incredible kick that balances the creaminess perfectly. * The Areyas: These were the absolute stars. Because of that oven, the outside had a perfect crunch while the meat inside stayed incredibly juicy. * Kafta (Ground Beef Kebab) & Shawarma Wraps: The Kafta was so tender it practically fell apart, and the Shawarma was packed with authentic flavor. Every bit of meat was seasoned to perfection. * The Sauces: The Garlic Sauce is bold and creamy, and when you mix it with that tangy Pomegranate Sauce, it creates the most flavorful bite imaginable. Everything came out steaming hot, which is impressive considering we ordered 20 different items. But the highlight of the night was the atmosphere. We were there right before closing, and the staff turned the place into a party. They had the music up loud and were literally dancing while they finished up. It was so fun and genuine! It made a fantastic meal feel like a total celebration. I cannot say enough good things. From the charred crust of the fresh bread to the incredible service and the joy of the staff, Zait n Zaatar is a gem. If you're in Aliso Viejo and you aren't eating here, you're missing out on the best Lebanese food in the area. read more

Went and grabbed takeout for lunch. Parking lot was a nightmare finding parking on a Sunday. We ordered one beef and one chicken shwarma wrap. Beef was very good and hit all the marks. Tender, flavorful, and good amount of beef. The chicken on the other hand I couldn't even chew. It was so dry and hard :( I would go back for the beef wrap and I really do love chicken shwarma but I unfortunately will not be ordering it here. Also it would be nice if they gave garlic sauce on the side, but don't forget to ask for it! It tastes great with it! read more

Zait & Zaatar - Beef shwarma on right, chicken on left - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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We came to try it on the Memorial Day holiday. The restaurant decor makes you feel like you are in a restaurant in the Middle East -- beautiful atmosphere. They were pretty busy with a lot of to-go orders, and it looked like they were short-staffed, so we didn't mind waiting. We ordered our food and patiently waited. The chicken shawarma was delicious and enough for two people. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful plaza. Prices are very reasonable, especially because the restaurant decor and design make you feel like you are at a high-end restaurant. Hopefully, after the long weekend, things will be more relaxed and they will have more employees to help. read more

Zait & Zaatar - Chicken Shawarma Wrap - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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This is a lovely Lebanese restaurant located in Aliso Viejo in a very busy and popular shopping plaza. The service was quick and staff were all very friendly. The menu is easy to follow and has tons of options for individual or family style meals. The shawarma definitely stole the show - especially the beef. It was so juicy, tender, and flavorful. The chicken had great flavor, but unfortunately was on the dry side. I have had friends eat here before and said the chicken shawarma was very juicy, so it might've just been our luck that day. The fries were hot and fresh with a great bite. The sides and dips perfectly complimented the main dishes. Would come back! read more

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What a delicious Lebanese adventure! We tried three different things: the Chicken Shawerma Arabi, the Kafta Arayes and the Combo Shawerma Plate. This place had a super cool vibe. It was packed for a Saturday night. The staff actually let me peek in their kitchen to video them slicing the meats - they had such a fun and joyful spirit. Will definitely be back! read more

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Authentic and affordable Lebanese food! For their price, portions, and delicious food, so worth trying this restaurant after the movie. The Beef Shawarma Arabi is awesomely delicious. The Cauliflower Wrap is delicious too. We were offered to try their Zaatar on pita bread and Falafel and they were yummy! The restaurant is perfect for families with outdoor seating. Service is attentive and helpful. Will definitely come back for more yummy Lebanese food! read more

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The chicken shawarma here is excellent. I liked the flavorful seasoning and the tenderness of the chicken. I thought the menu had a lot of intriguing looking items. The employees here greeted us as soon as we walked in and were friendly. I took this to-go. I'm interested in ordering something else next time, and sitting in their patio section as the weather has been nice. read more

Very delicious food. Love it. reminded me taste from my country Kazakhstan the service is great read more

Zait & Zaatar - Very delicious , like it. - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

The gentleman (glasses and beard) that took my to-go order was so patient and professional; this was my first visit. He explained items as I asked questions. We ordered the Baba Ghannouj, Chicken Shawarma Arabi, Beef Shawarma Arabi, Kafka Arayes, and Haloumi Cheese (flat bread). The Second gentleman made me feel like I was a bother, annoying him by placing two desserts on the counter for purchase. No questions from me, I explained I wanted to add these two items. Prior to leaving I picked up a couple of desserts: Lebanese Baklawa B. pistachios and Labanese Baklawa. read more

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Great taste, nice presentation, fresh and hot. There are so many choices. Next time we will come with friends so we can try everything. :) read more

Zait & Zaatar - Chicken Shawerma Plate - Lebanese Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California