Mazra — Restaurant in San Bruno

Mazra review

I just ate here today, and had such a bad experience that I felt the need to immediately write a review.

First of all, I wouldn’t say the food was bad, but it wasn’t amazing either. On the other hand, they have the audacity to ask for tips at check out, yet there is no customer service at all. In fact, there is NEGATIVE customer service, more like customer affliction. They literally said we can’t sit down at one of the 4 person tables, even though the place was only about 30% full. When we said that we got a lot of food and we normally have issues with small tables and if we can sit at another one, the female worker shook her head as in to say “No”, but didn’t even make an effort to talk. Is this kindergarten where we get assigned seating but there is actually zero service? You don’t bother to offer anything and we even need to get our own utensils and water, why are you harassing people where to sit? I understand if they were busy and asked us nicely to get a 2 person table, but they literally REFUSED our request. I have never heard a No from a restaurant before, the most un-accommodating dining experience I ever had, and that includes everywhere in the world, not just the US.

To take it even further, there were 2 sets of couples who came in after us and sat at 4 person tables and nobody asked them to move. We even seen 2 police officers come in and also had no issue sitting at the 4 person table; all that time it was already getting busier. So what is the logic to REFUSE our request and say NO when it was only 30% seats taken and then when it got busier they had no issue where people sat

So in summary, I’m amazed this place had so many good reviews when the food is sub par and the service is non-existent, actually even negative. So the only way that these people get a hint is to write a real review, maybe figure out the seating situation so customers don’t...

I was amazed that there was a restaurant so close to San Francisco with 5 stars and a ton of reviews so of course I had to check it out. Mazra delivered! The food was delicious, service was efficient and friendly, and it's a cute spot overall. The only drawback was the wait.

We arrived at 530pm thinking we could beat the dinner rush but no go, it was packed to the gills! The line was also fairly long though it moved pretty quickly. It's one of those places where you place your order at the counter, grab a seat, then go pick your food up at the window. Service was very efficient so I can only blame the long lines on customer error.

Food: We got two plates and a small order of falafel to share. Each plate came with two sides, pita and rice. Garlic rotisserie chicken: you get half a chicken in each order! The meat was juicy and so flavorful, and was made even better with the amazing garlic sauce on the side. I didn't think I could finish all of it... But I did. Double kebab plate with chicken and lamb: both were juicy and flavorful! But my friend preferred the lamb Sides: hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, Arabic salad - all really great! I really liked that their tabbouleh was a good balance between the parsley and bulgur. The hummus and baba ghanoush went well with the meats too. Falafel: crunchy, fluffy insides and good flavor. I would use my limited capacity for more meat in the future though.

Drinks: They have a table where you can help yourself to water and complimentary tea. The tea was spiced with cinnamon and other warm spices so it was pretty nice! You might want to add the provided sugar if you don't like...

Absolutely phenomenal food, genuinely lovely staff. I haven't managed to try every single dish yet but I'm getting there.

Of special note is the garlic paste, which is like butter but made of garlic. It's fantastic.

The falafel is great. Crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Also Hummus is great - so good that I don't intend to buy store-bought any more, I'll just come pick up a large side at Mazra instead!

It feels weird to compliment on the rice under the main dish, but I want to call it out in particular - The rice is moist and delicious, has a solid flavor, doesn't decrease in quality when it gets cold, it's remarkable. How often can you eat a spoonful of leftover rice straight out of the fridge?

I'm not a huge fan of lamb generally but the kebabs and 6 hour lamb shank are both so good I'd order them. I actively dislike salmon, but this salmon is so well seasoned and beautifully cooked that I had two bites of my wife's order.

The big family packs are great - everything comes in a giant takeout tray suitable for putting in the middle of your table. Throw in a couple more of your favorite kebabs and some falafel and you have a delicious and affordable meal for a whole family.

Mazra is family-run, but in a good way - everyone is very kind and seem thrilled to be in business, especially because they opened right when COVID lockdown started!

I will likely be back to eat in or pick up their delicious food every week, and would heartily recommend them to anyone...