Panini Kabob Grill - Riverside — Restaurant in Riverside

A nightmare of lies. If I could give negative 1000, I would. On Mother's Day at noon, I ordered 160 dollars of food to be delivered by 1.30pm. I ordered online on this restaurant website. A door dash delivery person contacted me by about 1.15, saying they were picking up my order. By 1.30, the driver messaged me asking me to contact the store for the store who told them there may be an hour wait. I said the hour was fine, and I would pay them for their time. I called he store. I continued to call the store and text with driver as was told a web of lies about they could not get to my order and they were busy and no time estimate and why don't I just cancel. I spoke to the manager about the store, which said the same lies. They played this game even at 4.30 and 5.30 which when I cakes Becca suddenly I was emailed and text that my delivery had been canceled. I cakes tge restaurant who lied and told me my order had just come out and another door dash delivery person took my order and call door dash. I did not actually arrange door dash. They did. But I cakes door dash who said tge merchant, ie tge restaurant canceled and they read all the texts and complaints if tge driver and me and contacted tge restaurant who finally admitted to door dash that yes they canceled my order. I was not reissued my 160 dollars. It was still taken from my bank. Door dash issued a request for refund for me. I tried 25 times to call the restaurant with no one answering phones now so I cakes my bank. My bank got on top and immediately issued me a refund and immediately found all tge paper trail and door dash complaints and it still took the restaurant over a week to actually issue me a refund . I had written a complaint to the restaurant corporate website asking to be contacted in writing by email and provided my email as well as phone. They never ever ever ever contacted me. Crickets. Still haven't contacted me. I told them I expected a full immediate refund and I needed them to do delivery at whatever time or date my order that was my only mother's day celebrations as I was home ill. Weeks later still nothing. All of those phone calls were recorded. All of those texts of Door dash . All the lies of that incompetent manager and her lies. As I told her I too had worked a good part of a decade in good service and always worked mother's day. I am well aware of the rush but it is a special type of willfull incompetent who still can not get an order out 5 hours later and lies and cancels. This is beyond any type of reality. Never go to this restaurant. Never. Worst customer service. Zero resolution or even talking to me about my major complaints. The food delivery service they use and my bank had to take them on their lies. This is not...

So there has been lots of talk about this place, being new and all...so I had to try it out for myself. I ordered the Hummus Trio Appetizer, and the Tuna Melt Panini, which came with a side of their lentil soup (cup size serving). The food tasted okay, fresh ingredients, warm, and presentation was on point, but the food overall just didn't stand out to me in terms of flavor. I mean, I'm certainly not complaining here, it's just that with all this talk about how great this place was, I guess I was expecting something a little more impactful and flavorful. I've had better tasting hummus, no doubt about that. The tuna melt was a little bland, or simple I should say, but perhaps that was their intent there, not quite sure. The lentil soup was hearty, and l would say that it was my favorite out of everything this evening. The other concern was that on their menu, it states that the tuna melt comes served in a whole wheat bread, but as you can clearly see in the pictures, it wasn't whole wheat bread. Not sure what happened there either. Maybe their better foods are their breakfast items, as they have a large selection for breakfast, and they also have a mimosa brunch special served every day of the week. Along with an espresso bar, wine, and beer...and even a small kids menu, it's possible that's what they are better at. Maybe I'll come back to try some of their beverages in the future.

The ambiance is nice, I do like their soft playing music in the background. Comfortable chairs, clean tables, nice decor and soft lighting. Their outdoor seating area is big enough for larger parties as well, as there was a party of 13 outside. The place has plenty of seating, lots actually, lol! Their price range is just right.

My waitress was nice, she was a little quiet and and shy, but she got everything right, and answered all my questions, no complaints there.

Overall I would recommend this place, but I would say that there are other places with more flavorful tasting Mediterranean food...or more authentic I should say. But, give it a shot, try it for yourself...don't knock it until...

We had to drive all the way to L.A. or Irvine for high-quality Persian food. Now, with Panini Kabob Grill restaurant nearby we can enjoy nearly the same Persian food quality with a 2 min drive.

I lived in Iran for 20 years and 15 years in the U.S. and tried many different Persian restaurants in L.A., Irvine, San Diego, etc. In my opinion, this is the ranking of their kabob quality and customer service compared to the best Persian restaurant I have tried before.

Customer service is 5 out of 5: They are responsible, professional, and very nice. Both managers are often there and supervise everything to make sure customers are satisfied with the food and the service. For instance, once (the very first day or two they opened) I ordered online and went to pick up the order but the order was not ready on time. The manager refunded me without I even ask for it. Where else do you find such a great custormer service?

Beef koobideh kabob 4 out of 5: Panini's koobideh is very delicious and juicy. However, the quality is not consistent from day to day. They are also shorter in length compared to the other koobideh kabobs I tried before.

Char-Broiled Chicken Shish Kabob 5 out of 5: This is the same item as Joojeh Kabob in Persian restaurants. Amazing quality, taste, well-marinated, and extremely juicy.

Flat Iron Steak Shish Kabob 3.5 out of 5: In my opinion, this item needs some attention especially in the quality of meat selection and tenderness. Shish kabobs were well-marinated and tasty but a little overcooked and chewy.

Portions and Price 5 out of 5: You get generous portions and very reasonable pricing. If you are dining there with your family, ask for their family style entrees.

Overall, this is an amazing restaurant with a high-quality of food, antibiotic and hormone free grass fed meat, and a great management team.

Make sure to tell them to have your Koobideh...