Abn Al Sham - مطعم و فروج ابن الشام — Restaurant in California

Abn Al Sham is hands-down one of the best spots for authentic Middle Eastern, Syrian food in El Cajon. Their chicken shawarma is absolute heaven—juicy, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. And just when you think it can't get better, the fried chicken takes it to another level of heaven. It's crispy, tender, and so fresh that you’ll find yourself savoring every bite. The garlic dip for the chicken and fries is unique; I haven't had anything else like it in this country.

Now, fair warning, there is usually a wait. They’re a bit slow, but honestly, it’s because everything is made from scratch and fresh—totally worth it. You can taste the care and effort they put into every single dish.

The staff is friendly, and the whole place has a welcoming vibe. If you’re craving authentic, flavorful, Middle Eastern food, you’ve got to try Abn Al Sham. Trust me, it’s worth every minute of the wait! And worth the drive from San Diego or...

Avoid this place at all costs!

The food is mediocre at best, and the service is an absolute nightmare. It took them a ridiculous 20 minutes to prepare one sandwich, even though I called ahead. They blatantly ignore basic health and hygiene standards—no gloves, no head covers, and they handle the food with bare hands. Disgusting!

The tables are filthy because they don’t bother cleaning them. Their menu is a joke: it’s basically just chicken shawarma. No falafel, no variety, and don’t even bother with the smoothies—they’re out of most flavors.

On top of all this, there’s no staff to serve you, and the only thing they sell is outrageously overpriced. The location? A disaster. There’s no parking, and it’s right next to a liquor store where you might end up in a fight just trying to park.

Don’t let the name fool you—this place isn’t worth a second of your time or money. You’ve...

The is a simple Syrian inspired menu with options. 1. Tasty swarma sandwiches from one to many on a platter. The sandwiches were flavorful and moist, sliced like a wrap. Served with a garlic sauce and coleslaw to add. 2. Broasted seasoned chicken from 4 pieces to family size +. The chicken was made fresh to order, crispy and moist. 3. Smoothies are made with fresh fruit, chia seeds, Greek yogurt or soy milk, and more. 4. Fresh fruit plates to platters. Delicious. Excellent service. Mo was at the front counter with a photo of his father behind hi. They already have 9 restaurants in Jordan and Syria, so day 3 ran smoothly with a long line at dinnertime. Mo was honest that the freshly prepared chicken would take 20 minutes which went quickly. It is definitely more of a takeout location and a bit salty but overall an excellent edition to our area. Current...