Sahara Restaurant — Restaurant in Pasadena

This evening( 5/16/2024), our church community gathered at Sahara Middle Eastern Cuisine for a group dinner, and the experience was exceptional. As we settled into the cozy ambiance, we started our culinary journey with an array of sides. The hummus, paired with pita breads, was creamy and rich in flavor, setting a high bar for what was to come. The tabbouleh was a refreshing medley of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, and bulgur, dressed in zesty lemon juice and olive oil—a true testament to the freshness of the ingredients. The cabbage salad was another standout, offering a crisp and tangy complement to the meal.

While the pita bread could have been served hot to elevate the starters even further, this was a minor note in an otherwise flawless symphony of flavors.

The main course was a showcase of the restaurant’s mastery over meat. The beef kabobs were succulent and perfectly seasoned, each bite transporting us to the heart of Mediterranean cuisine. The chicken and lamb kabob platter was equally impressive, with the meats being tender, juicy, and infused with an array of spices that spoke to the experienced palate of the chefs.

Service throughout the evening was prompt and courteous, with the staff ensuring our dining experience was comfortable and enjoyable. Although the parking lot is small but I feel it should be plenty as the restaurant is not that big.

It’s worth noting that the prices are on the higher side, but for the authentic flavors and generous portions, it felt justified. Sahara Middle Eastern Cuisine is worthy to be put on your restaurant...

Great spot to eat at if you're in Pasadena and are in the mood for Middle Eastern cuisine (a nice alternative to Zankou Chicken). It's definitely a popular place for lunch so come earlier if you can; I've waited up to 20 minutes for my food to arrive.

I love their lite lunch specials; it's the right amount of food for a great price (only around $7). You won't be in food coma after eating one of those. They come with your choice of meat, rice pilaf, chopped onions, tomato, pita bread, and tahini sauce (unfortunately, lite lunches don't come with hummus). My go-to meat is the shawarma; it's crispy without being burned/dry but still chewy enough. The meat portion is about half the size of the regular lunch plates, so if you're feeling really hungry then definitely go for the regular plates.

If you're a fan of delicious Middle Eastern food that's fairly priced you should seriously give this place a try; it's totally worth it. Remember that they're closed after lunch from 3-5pm before they reopen for dinner. They have a parking lot in the rear, but there's usually plenty of...

In one word...FANTASTIC, OUTSTANDING, AMAZING!

Ok that was more than one word, but the place is really special. I eat a lot of Mediterranean Food, and this place is one of the best.

Can't beat the freshness and the flavor of everything. And the pricing is very reasonable.

I Loved the beef kabob, it was cooked to perfection over coals, not gas and cooked Med rare to Medium (not like most mediterranean places that burn them). Had it for lunch the other day. Comes over a bed of middle eastern style rice (not persian style) side of hummus, tabouleh and bread. Fantastic.

Last time I was there I had the chicken kabob, it was really moist even though it was breast meat. Also over rive, with garlic sauce, tabuleh and hummus. My wife had the shawarma which I tried. The shawarma was just ok. It was not bad, but not great. It was a little dry and overcooked. Again, it cam with 2 sides, sauce and bread and at a very reasonable price.

I really love it that it is run by family members, looks like 2 families operate the place. Super friendly and nice, can't...