Alfanar Restaurant — Restaurant in El Cajon

I’m writing this review out of serious concern after a deeply unpleasant experience at your restaurant. My best friend and I recently placed an order, and I chose a plate with rice, chicken kebab, and beef kebab.

Approximately 30 minutes after finishing my meal, I began experiencing an intense headache, which I initially dismissed. However, it quickly escalated—my body started sweating excessively, my mouth filled with saliva, and I became violently ill, vomiting repeatedly. I had to drive myself to the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest, where I was diagnosed with food poisoning. The medical team traced the issue to the chicken kebab I had eaten.

This was not just a minor inconvenience—it was a serious health issue that required immediate medical attention. I’m extremely disappointed and alarmed that food served to customers could cause such harm.

I strongly urge the management to take food safety more seriously, particularly with regard to the preparation and handling of chicken. Serving undercooked or spoiled poultry is dangerous and unacceptable.

Please ensure your ingredients are fresh and your kitchen follows strict hygiene standards. No one should have to go through what I experienced simply from...

A hidden gem. I spoke to one of the waitresses and she told me that they been there for a few months. Its a new restaurant.

This is a mix of Iraqi, Persian, Lebanese restaurant/cuisine.

Certain meals comes with free lentil soup and a mixed-plate of onions, tomatoes and pickles.

A lot of appetizers. A lot of main dishes. Fresh meats. Soups. Delicious side dishes. The service is excellent. Fresh salads. Fresh made Arabic bread. I am definitely coming back again. In the pictures:

Qozi (meat) with rice and Ocra gravy. Mixed appetizers. Meat Shawarma tashreeb.

Edit: second visit

It's better than expected. Very satisfying. I will be back to try the rest of the menu.

If they keep this quality and services, there will be soon another Al fanar...

Don’t fall for the glowing reviews here like I did. Everything we ordered was subpar. The salad was literally swimming in bottled dressing. The “ribeye” kebabs were overcooked, and in fact, not ribeye, but sirloin, and cheap sirloin at that, not marinated, very chewy. The grilled onion and tomato were burned to a crisp…completely inedible. The sauces were prepackaged, and like mayo with a little garlic flavor. And the naan was cold, even after asking for fresh. No water on the table, one must buy it a la carte in a bottle. And the atmosphere was…well, it was. Nothing fancy. Go to Aladdin instead. Or perhaps the proprietors of this place should, to see how this fare is supposed to...