Location: El Cajon
Top Restaurants in El Cajon
Where to eat Middle Eastern food in El Cajon: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Reviews on Middle Eastern food in El Cajon, California, United States. El Cajon (/ɛlkəˈhoʊn/; Spanish: [elkaˈxon]) is a city in San Diego County, California, United States. In a valley surrounded by mountains, the city has acquired the nickname of "The Big Box." Its name originated similarly, from the Spanish phrase "el cajón," which means "the box" or "the drawer."
Things to do in El Cajon
7. Happy Time Mediterranean Restaurant
Reviewed By 332tiffanyg
Family outing ran over time and we had a few âhangryâ people. Just drove into the strip looking to see what there was and stumbled on Happy Time. Restaurant is clean and well decorated. The employees were friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. They had a live guitarist and flutist playing and singing. Lots of food choices with plenty of options. Prices were good. When the food came is was DELICIOUS!!! Hot, nice portions, perfectly seasoned. Then they brought us fresh made flatbread and tatziki sauce we didnât even order. We rolled out fat and happy and will for sure go again!! Wish it was closer to my house. The only thing they were missing was beer! Keep up the good work!!
6. Al Azayem Restaurant
Reviewed By inthewoods2016
My son and I went there in a moment of "hey, let's try something different." It's a little hole-in-the-wall, and walking up to it, one wonders if it's the right place (ie, don't blink, you'll miss it!). Walking in, the first thing that we noticed was the ambiance, which was awful-- it's definitely not trying for the ambiance award! However, the smell.... um. Now THAT was good food cooking, and by the amount of middle eastern families packed in the place, I could see we'd hit a local favorite.The waitress came out, and we asked her a question. I could tell by the confused look and shy smile, she didn't speak much English. My Caldean is non-existant, so she go a young man from behind the counter to come out, and we ordered. My son had lamb and I had falafel. Both were delicious, and the portions were large.The oddest thing though, is that the shy smiling waitress brought us soup--a barely mushroom-- without our asking. When I tried to point that out (afraid we'd gotten someone else's order) she just smiled, nodded, and walked away. Later, I would find out the restaurant does this for EVERYONE. If you walk in and sit down, they bring a bowl of soup to you. Free of charge! (I hate to tell them, but hungry patrons often order more....) The bottled water is also free of charge, and I've noticed that some of the smaller Caldean restaurants in town don't even stock glass ware. Patrons have their choice of sodas or bottled water, and I've never been charged for it, although the menus never state that it's free, it's just sort of a "given."Our entire bill for dinner was just over $10 for two people. The food was delicious, and from what local middle eastern folks tell me, this is as close as you can get to authentic homemade stuff. You can even watch the men in the kitchen prepare your meal, since there is a glass fronted warmer in front of the kitchen. Everyone there, from the patrons to the workers, seems in a good mood, and my son and I felt welcomed.This is definitely NOT a place you want to go to impress people. It's a local spot with great food and modest prices.... and the free soup and bottled water? I can only count that among the "hospitality" aspect of places, and a different culture....
5. Sagmani's Restaurant
Reviewed By Rene V
If you drove by this place you probably would not stop. However, you would be missing a great food experience. This is a genuine Iraqi restaurant. The food includes great kebabs and my favorite-the lentil soup. You are given tons of pita bread with your meal. The prices are very reasonable usually about $8 per plate. The owner is a jovial, friendly guy. You know the place is authentic because it is frequented by Iraqi nationals.
Most Popular Deli food in El Cajon, California, United States
4. Bab Al Hara
Reviewed By email4saundra1
No beef, no chicken kabobs?Went in on a Tuesday night about 6pm. Waited over ten minutes for the counter person to gett off their personal cell phone.We ordered the loaded fries, because we wanted kebab and they didn't have any.The dish was cold all the way through. The fries were greasy, and it was just inedible. Yuck!I cannot recommend bab al hara.
Where to eat Cafe food in El Cajon: The Best Restaurants and Bars
3. Luna Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By WoHop132
A new fabulous mediterranean has opened. The open kitchen gives you a look & see how it's done. Clean inside & out makes you feel comfortable while dining. The chicken soup & chicken kabobs & a beef, lamb plate with rice were excellent. My only dislike was the cucumber yogurt dip.
Where to eat American food in El Cajon: The Best Restaurants and Bars
2. Ali BABA Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Natalia U
Had lunch with friends today after our hike to mission trails park. Wanted to have good middle eastern food and a customer at shakira bakery sent us there. The service was great and the food delicious and very good portions. The ali baba bread made right before bringing it to our table was fresh and hot and great! We ordered their yogurt and cucumber sauce with no garlic... YummyThe server could not have been any nicer.. Explaining every plate so that we did not get any surprises and were able to order smartFor food we had the ground meat kebab and chunk chiken plate
1. Sahara Taste of the Middle East
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By Connie B
Nice fast food place with reliable food. Other people in my party liked their food more than I did mine. Lentil soup was a bit spice but otherwise lacking in flavor. I liked the fried pita strips that came with the soup. Veggie flatbread was not to my taste. For the best Mediterranean food in the area I recommend Ali Baba instead.
