Kabab Express — Restaurant in Lake Forest

"Express" without sacrificing quality; this is fresh and top-level Mediterranean, best rice I've ever had, can't forget the flavor...

I drive out of my way to come here and it's worth the effort; I initially decided to try it due to the fact that it's the most highly-rated Mediterranean restaurant in the area, and I've now become a loyal customer.

Mike (the owner) is so warm and friendly, he's a wonderful host and even gave me Persian caramel tea on the house on my 1st visit.

It was late at night but the naan bread was very fresh, as was everything else... When I told Mike how impressed I was to have such fresh bread just 30 minutes before they closed, he told me they bake it fresh with every order.

The Feta Cheese & Walnut Salad was wonderful with fresh herbs and veggies and paired well with the Mixed Rice Special (a mixture of lentil, sautéed onion, raisins, dates, mixed with white Basmati rice).

The seasonings of the rice were outstanding and I honestly couldn't tell you where to find anything comparable.

On a subsequent visit I had the Vegetarian Eggplant Stew and while it was also seasoned and prepared very well and I have no complaints, the salad with rice are going to...

I think I found my favorite Persian restaurant in all of South OC! We were in a rush to get to a concert with my husband but we needed to eat as well. So we got into the shopping center and looked around for our options. I wanted to try this little restaurant’s food because it was packed while all other restaurants were empty. I’m so glad that I went with my instinct. Awesome staff and owner, great prices and super delicious food got all together in this place! Even though we shared one plate we were stuffed with one side of falafel. Their fresh bread is yummy. We also got a pot of tea complementary of the chef. Food came exactly I asked for and more than that. I was asking all my friends for a good Persian restaurant around and I’m not even sure they’re aware that this place exists in here. I loved everything they served. So I’ll be coming back here many times in the future I know. The owner is an awesome, humble ex.sportsmen. Glad to chat with him a little while and share thoughts. I realized that I didn’t take any pictures of my food at the end because we ate it so fast. Next...

I recently had the opportunity to dine at this establishment, and the experience left room for improvement. The food, overall, fell below expectations. The chicken kabobs, in particular, were notably dry and lacked depth in seasoning. While the rotisserie chicken was better seasoned with a pleasant roasted flavor, it also suffered from dryness and was served without any accompanying sauce or dressing, which could have enhanced the dish. On a positive note, the meal included fresh pita bread and a generously sized salad, and the portion sizes were reasonable. However, the overall value did not align with the pricing.

Service was also a concern during the visit. Upon arrival, there was no staff present at the cashier, resulting in a noticeable wait time. After placing the order, service remained inconsistent, with limited staff presence in the dining area and one staff member visibly occupied on their phone. These factors collectively impacted the dining experience. While the restaurant has potential, improvements in both food preparation and customer service would enhance its...