Mal Al Sham

Very nice employees and good service. Place was crowded inside and out. Have heard about this place for years but never tried. The portions were huge which was nice, but to be honest it wasn't great. Felt the meat has no salt or seasoning (breaded chicken) and garlic sauce (more like a paste) was hardly garlic tasting. Rice was a brown, over "spiced", yet no saltiness or flavor which is strange. Bit into a big ole piece of cardamom, had to spit out. Anyway- added some yogurt and bought spicy Harrissa later on and it kind of saved it. I prefer rice that's a bit more "buttery" (ghee) and less spices, similar to Kaelins Arab food. Anyway, nice place but food could be better.

One of the best Arabic restaurants in San Diego! We ordered mix grill, the beef skewers were very delicious and the rice was tasty and well seasoned. The beef shawarma tasted amazing and is a must try! They have an outdoor dining area where you can enjoy the good weather and vibes. The service is fast and the staff are so friendly and helpful. Definitely worth to visit again.

I recently visited Mal Al Sham and had an amazing experience. The staff were welcoming and attentive, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The menu offers a wide variety of options, and every dish I ordered was incredibly delicious with outstanding quality and beautifully presented. A must-visit for anyone looking for authentic Middle Eastern food and excellent service!

It's a casual Syrian/Mediterranean restaurant where you'll get your money's worth. Delicious food, nice and attentive employees, clean restaurant. The first time I went by with a group of friends and we all got our own dishes to go. We all agreed it was delicious. The second time I went with my sister and cousin and we got the family combo platter for 3, it was more than enough food. Third time I got a family combo platter for 5 for a good-bye dinner knowing that it would be enough for 7/8 people. I also bought some pita bread and a yogurt cucumber salad, somewhat similar to tzatziki sauce. It can get busy, especially on weekends but my only complaint is the parking. It is limited on their property but you can park on the street. I will be back sooner than later.

Great tasting food! We tried the shawarma (both beef and chicken), hummus, baba ghanoush, and the mixed grill! everything was excellent! The highlight for me was their authentic Iraqi tea, which made the meal even better. Highly recommend!

The food is delicious!!! Wow I was surprised lol. We got the platter for 3 and we had 4 people and there were still some leftovers. The portion is huge. It had beef and chicken. We also got a salad and hummus and an eggplant dip thing. Those dips came in huge plates too. The kebabs and the meat were all amazing. The rice was great. And they had the perfect proportions or rice to meat. It was a decent price too! 🍗🥓🍖 The inside seating is smaller but there is a decent amount of outdoor seating. The parking lot is almost nonexistent lol but there’s street parking!

Mal Al Sham has the best Middle Eastern food I’ve ever had! I always go on the weekend for their Quouzi special it comes with salad or soup (both are so good!). The portion is generous, easily enough for two people, and everything is full of flavor. I also love their chicken shawarma wrap and beef with fries —so tasty! The service is quick, the place is always packed, and it’s absolutely worth the drive every time. Highly recommend!

Best Arab restaurant in America. Hands down. Amazing food, large portions and great service. I specially loved the chicken sandwiches. Eat here once in your life time.

Very tasty and budget friendly, service is quick in timely manner, providing with hit tea for free

I got a pick up of hummus, beef and chicken kabob skewers. For to-go orders they don't include pita with hummus so it was $3 add on for the pita. Overall I loved the food! The hummus is a game changer for me. It is so smooth and almost cream like. I've never had hummus like this! The kabobs were also good as well but I definitely preferred the chicken kabob more. It's definitely more flavorful and tender! The garlic sauce it comes with is also sooo good. I'm excited to try their other items next time!

I wish I could sing this restaurant's praises because the food truly is phenomenal--easily some of the best Middle Eastern cuisine I've ever had. Each bite is a symphony of flavors, and the dishes are clearly prepared with care and expertise. If the food were the sole metric, this place would get five stars without hesitation. But, oh, the service. If you thought good food could make up for everything, think again. The female staff seem to have made it their mission to redefine "rude." Eye-rolls when you ask a question? Check. Ignored for long stretches even when the place isn't busy? Check. A patronizing attitude that makes you feel like a nuisance for simply existing? Double check. It's as if they're doing you a favor by letting you eat there. Smiles and basic courtesy must be against their company policy, because you certainly won't find any. I've seen DMV clerks with more warmth and charm. It's infuriating because you can see the potential here--if they just treated customers with a shred of respect, this could easily become a go-to spot. But as it stands, you leave feeling like the incredible meal wasn't worth the sheer aggravation of being mistreated. Great food, toxic atmosphere. Go if you have the patience of a saint--or just get takeout and save yourself the indignity.

Recommended over Shawarma Guys. Very authentic. Both in food, workers, and clientele. Order at the counter, get your number and have a seat, or take out. Both very popular. The staff are very attentive and friendly. Saw some of their TikTok videos and you can see how fun and happy they are when working. They have a really nice patio for spring in the sun or shade. Would highly recommend all the beef dishes, shawarma sandwich and fries or Beef Kabob entree with rice. Rice is delicious and their garlic sauce is divine! Unfortunately, even though they have both beef and chicken freshly roasting in rotating spits, the chicken shawarma was very dry. Maybe not freshly shaved. It has a texture like chicken jerky. Disappointing. Next time, will stick to the beef dishes and also explore other menu items. Bonus: grab a delicious hot tea (first cup free)

A popular Middle Eastern restaurant and they get very busy. I came at 5pm on a week day and they were packed. The outdoor seating was mostly filled, same with indoor seating. They get a lot of to go orders as well. The crowd comes in waves and fortunately and we were able to find a table. We ordered Hummus, Mixed Grill, Beef and Chicken sandwiches. They have generous portion sizes, so come hungry - or save for leftovers the next day. Hummus is a must order. We liked the mixed grill as it had a variety of kabobs - 2 chicken and 2 beef. The sandwiches were good but we were pretty full by the time we started on them. They were good to try but I prefer their kabobs more. I would definitely recommend.

Our first visit and we tried the Muttabel, Fattoush, Family Platter for 3 (swapped out the beef shawarma with chicken cream chop), Qouzi with a side of salad and an order of dozen falafels to go. The first cup of piping hot black tea (self-service) is complimentary and such a treat on a cold wintery night. The flavors were on point ...absolutely loved the food! Walk ins only and it can get quite busy but service is fast and very hospitable. Parking is very limited along the side so best to find street parking. There was plenty of seating in the patio but no patio heaters so most people opted to wait for a table indoors or take their orders to go. I can't wait to return to try their breakfast menu.

Yummy and flavorful. The serving is huge. Atmosphere is bustling. Parking was pretty full and took time to get in and out. But food was good and I'd recommend.

Delicious Syrian food located in El Cajon! They have a small parking lot that gets super busy, but it's definitely worth it! The restaurant is always full of people The ambience is loud but the kebabs here are delicious and full of flavor! The yellow basmati rice is also amazing! A must come if you're in the East County!

We were recommended Mal Al Sham by some friends and it did not disappoint! They're serving up amazing Syrian and Mediterranean cuisine that I can simply not stop thinking about since the moment we left! Our group had our eyes set on the big Family Combo Platter for 5 which featured beef kabob, chicken kabob, chicken tikka, beef shawarma, and chicken shawarma along with rice and salad. Boy was this a ton of food. We had leftover for days, but absolutely no one was complaining. A really good deal with so much variety if you're coming with a bigger bunch. Their meats were beyond flavorful and perfectly charred. My favorite was the chicken kabob skewers. Mmm so well done! The salad was also a top contender for my favorite. So refreshing, light, and zesty. The perfect side to such a hearty meal.

The folks that did my bathroom remodel last year recommended this place and I have been back probably a half dozen times. It is super busy, parking sucks like no other, and the food is totally worth it! Sometimes I do delivery, pick-up and rarely will eat inside cause of lack of open tables. This restaurant couldn't be any smaller for how awesome it is. :-) Will for sure return and enjoy their Mansaf and Ouzi.

Food is great but the female servers service is trash. Very rude and disrespectful with a sense of entitlement.

This place gets very busy at dinner time. Parking lot is pretty small but there are spaces to park on main street. I like the chicken and beef shawarma and chicken tikka. The only thing I don't like is how much oil and sauce they put in their sandwiches. I got a tikka saj wrap and the chicken was great but no vegetables at all and a tonnnnn of sauce. I ended up removing the chicken and eating dry part of the wrap. Next time I'll let them know no sauce and add lettuce tomato. I don't recommend breakfast here. My husband and I did not like anything we had. I would recommend lunch and dinner though.

Our friends took us out to eat at Mal A Sham. On a Saturday 5pm, parking can be a little crazy because it's busy! Busy means you know it's good. They have seating inside and outside. The restaurant caters to all ages. We ordered the 5 person platter for $95. When they say generous portions... they mean it! The platter came with meats, rice, veggies, pita, and hummas. There was 4 athletes to feed and we couldn't finish the whole thing. So delicious and great!

I wasn't impressed. I tried it because of the great reviews I have seen about it. The food was mediocre. As a Lebanese person, I can identify good shawarma from a mile away. Also the place is very crowded and loud. There are much better Middle Eastern places in San Diego that I've been to that I would recommend. But not this one.

I came here two months ago with my mom for a lunch date and I still can't stop thinking about the food. We ordered a lamb tikka, chicken shwarma plate and an order of fries. The serving size is massive, we had leftovers for dinner. When you first go in, you can either sit down and they immediately take your order or you can order takeout. We went on a Saturday afternoon, and it was pretty busy! The ambiance is like a diner fast paced and all the staff are attentive. I just wish the plates were bigger because when the food came I had a huge piece of lamb fall onto the floor (the table was full of the food we ordered) so that made me sad to see food go to waste because the plates are filled completely. It's a beautiful style of cooking and the flavors are something I truly enjoyed. I would love to go back. They take Apple Pay.

Best middle Eastern food in San Diego. The salad is amazing, the chicken and beef kafta are delicious and the rice is just on another level. The garlic sauce is also a must. It can seem a little pricey, but the portions definitely make up for it. The ambiance has family vibes and the service is great. They have indoor and outdoor dining areas, you can also order to go.

One of my favorite Persian food in East San Diego! Authenticity and quality is what one always looks for in a good restaurant. The service here is great, they have indoor and outdoor dining. It is one of the places where one should come when eating with friends and family. Sharing is caring! Recommendations: Family combos! Hummus Fattoush Tabbouleh And the kabobs!

This place is always busy, which is a testament to how good it is! A convenient and consistent lunch spot, the first cup of tea is free and so good! Everything I've tried has been simple and really flavorful. A local favorite with a well deserved reputation! Service is always quick and kind

My brothers and I came for dinner. Parking lot was small but I was able to easily able to find parking. I enjoyed the food very much. We ordered the family platter for 3 and it was definitely more than enough food. I definitely want to come back the chicken Kebob was my favorite.

This place is incredible. In the past 1.5 months, I have had it probably 4 times and it has been amazing each time. Their shawarma bites is possibly the best shawarma sandwich in town. The meat is so well marinated, the bites make having it so cute and fun, and the quality is clearly of high value. I've also had their kebabs, salads, baba ghanoush -- all amazing. The fact that I've had this meal catered to multiple events I've attended in just the past 5-6 weeks says a lot! The place itself has a lot of seats - most of it being outdoors. So there's always a place to eat your meal, though beware the lunch rush! The service is always great and the employees take good care of their customers.

Amazing and delicious food, excellent and quick service with a smile. We ordered Chicken kabob and lamb Tikka with rice and salad, both were well marinated and served hot. I am definitely coming back!

Friendly and happy environment. Quality food and huge portions. If you love herbs and spices, this is the place for you. I highly recommend it.

We were introduced to this place last night and wow! The best! Everything on the menu is what we had for our gathering and all were so happy. We will definitely be ordering from you all again. Thank you!

My friend brought me to this delicious restaurant last night and I'm beyond happy he introduced me to Mal Al sham . We had such a lovely dining experience. I really like that they are open until 10:00 so you can have a late dinner . The restaurant is decorated very cute and it's a good sized dining room . Our server was friendly and attentive. The food was very fresh and delicious. They serve some of the best hummus I've ever had . I had the beef Tikka with french fries and it blew my mind . The kebabs are really tender and seasoned to perfection. I will be ordering this 1 time a month. I highly recommend dining here .

I discovered this place during a family trip last summer, after friends recommended it for dinner. On my first visit, I ordered the Qouzi special and the mixed grill platter to share between two people--both were massive, and we had enough leftovers for two days. I also tried the lentil soup, which was delicious and comforting. This time, we went with the beef kabob (with an extra skewer) and the lamb tikka as entrees, plus tabbouleh and fattoush as sides. We also added Mutabal with pita bread, which complemented the meal perfectly. The rice that comes with the entrees is so addictive--I've been craving it since my last visit. If you're unsure what to order, the beef kabob is always a safe bet--it's tender and full of flavor. The lamb tikka was equally fantastic--perfectly cooked and flavorful. Whether it's your first or fifth visit, you can't go wrong here. One thing to note is that the place gets very busy, so it can take a while to get a server's attention. But the wait is well worth it. They also have limited parking in the back, so be prepared to wait for a spot as a customer leaves, or come early to find street parking nearby. They only offer bottled water, so bring your own if you'd prefer to avoid paying for it. On the plus side, they offer complimentary hot tea, with the first cup free for each guest, which you can help yourself to from the dispenser inside.

Amazing food! We've had beef skewers and chicken skewers (tika?) Fatoush is amazing, too!

Best shwarma in El Cajon. I do wish the bread was warmed up on the grill not in the microwave but it's still pretty tasty.

Mal al Sham or taste of Damascus is always a treat! this middle Eastern food in El Cajon can't be beat! so settle in, order some soup, shawarma, kofta and any variety of meat. great service, well priced options incomparable flavor all to eat!

Parking may be a little hectic but we found parking across the street. Busy place = delicious food. We absolutely enjoyed every single bite. 10/10

Love this place! Food was great, service was good (all staff are friendly). Ambiance not too great because it's always crowded which means a lot of people really enjoyed this restaurant!

Recent discovery. Great food. Lots of patrons. Good prices. Mouth watering each time. Thank you for bringing joy

Amazing food, huge portions. Very nice complimentary cup of tea. Everything was delicious and the staff were kind to us. Can't wait to return!

My friend from EC recommended we eat here for dinner, and let me tell you, NO REGRETS. We all ordered the Beef Shawarma plate ($16.99 each) with a side of Pita Bread and their recommended sauce. This meal was amazingly balanced in flavor, hitting every single base perfectly. The beef had such a rich, delicious flavor and paired perfectly with the aromatic rice. Using the fresh pita bread to scoop up all the ingredients together just accentuated the flavors even more. The salad was incredibly fresh, with a citrusy dressing that provided a delightful balance to the savory meat and rice. All in all, SO DANG DELICIOUS. If you're a meat eater, you'll be in paradise here. The portions are no joke-they serve you a mountain of meat with plenty of rice to complement it. All three of us got so full that we had a whole portion of food left to take home. The service was excellent; they greet you with a smile and check on you often to ensure you have everything you need. The ambiance is awesome too; as you walk in, you immediately see the kitchen with their proteins stacked up, which gets you so excited about all the delicious meat you're about to eat. I highly recommend eating here if you want great flavors, generous portions, and excellent value. You won't regret it.

Food tasted great and service was fast! There is a lot of people who come to place to go orders it's that good!

The food here is nothing short of extraordinary, a true feast for the senses. Every bite is bursting with flavor, leaving your taste buds dancing in delight. My boss treated me to lunch from this place, and I can confidently say it was the most flavorful meal had in a long time . Coming from a Mexican family that values bold, perfectly seasoned dishes, I was genuinely impressed--this food is seasoned to perfection.

What can I say about the food at this place ??? Top Notch is an understatement. Ordered Chicken Shawarma and Chicken Kabab Platter. Amazing food. shawarma just melts in the mouth and the kabab is very juicy. Service and Ambience is decent. Very affordable pricing and it's worth every penny. Reminded me of my hometown food.

Food was great, large portions sizes, friendly service. I will definitely go back. Also try the free hot tea. It was very flavorful

All you need to know... just go. From the smooth and creamy hummus, to the huge bowl of velvety lentil soup, to the mountain of rice underneath each meaty mountain plate... Mal Al Sham is incredible! My only regret is that I live far away, and only get to enjoy this place a couple times a year. But I will say, when the craving hits, you won't be disappointed with the food or value here. The seasoning in their simple beef and chicken kebabs is off the charts. There is nothing basic about them!! The kibbeh, french fries and sandwiches on the table next to us looked incredible, as well. Maybe next time. Portions are generous, and there's always enough leftover for lunch the next day.

The quantity of food for the price was amazing. The chicken shawarma wrap was super juicy and delicious and was glad that they were able to make it spicy for me as well. Pros: quantity of food, freshness and flavors Cons: inside felt a little cramped Value: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 4.5/5 Taste: 5/5

Had some Syrian friends recommend this to me for food, so I had to try it out. Beef Kabobs are the best here. Well-seasoned and not dried out. Available as a combo plate or a la carte. Chicken Kabobs are moist and not as dry as I anticipated, too. Mixed Grill Platter is a lot of bang for your buck, and a good chance to try all the meats. Combos come with a side of the tabouleh salad; it provides a nice fresh element. The Cucumber Yogurt Salad (Tzatziki) was fresh, and a good complement to the meal, as is the garlic cream sauce. Complementary first cup of tea. Food orders are quick, it usually takes about 15 min or less for it to be ready, after ordering. Seating is ample, both indoor and on the patio. Their rice is like crack. It's seasoned nicely, and goes so well with the meats. Just pick out all of the whole cardamom pods so that you don't accidentally eat them. I had a falafel sandwich (actually a wrap) which was OK. I liked the beef Kabob a little better, both $8, if I remember correctly. I liked the crunch of them, since they were browned on the skillet after they were wrapped. Unfortunately, my first order with them, I ordered there, for to-go, and I didn't notice until after the order was filled, but they had 2 extra items at the top of the bill, that I didn't order. Maybe they were leftover from a previous unfinished order? Anyway, the bill was higher than I expected, but I was too hungry and impatient to debate, so I just left with it. Ordering on the phone vs Grubhub for pickup is a bit cheaper.

Amazing Syrian food!! The service is fast and great! The vibes are great, perfect for families as well! The outside dining is great as well!

I ate here twice while visiting. Yesterday, I had foul madammas (Crushed Fool Mdamas, as it's listed on the menu). This is described as "crushed boiled fava beans topped with tomato, parsley, lemon juice, and garlic." You can have this topped with tahina. It's served with beets, lemon slices, peppers, sliced onion, sliced tomatoes, and sliced cucumber. This was excellent. This morning, I returned to have the Fatteh, which they describe as "ground, slow-boiled chickpeas, spilled over baked bread chips, topped with lemon juice, crushed garlic, mixed with tahina, yogurt, and topped with whole chickpeas and sauteed nuts garnished with your choice of olive oil or butter." This was very great, although it had more oil than I would have put myself, but outrageously excellent. It too came with the vegetables described above. Highly recommended. Decent service. The place becomes very crowded at times, so come early if you are coming for breakfast. The rest of the menu looks super great as well. Indoor and outdoor seating.

Combo plate came with chicken and beef , salad, and rice ( feeds minimum of 2 people) Also purchased the hummus appetizer and extra garlic sauce( --- highly recommend) The flavor is outstanding!! Easily feeds 3 people as it comes with a lot of rice and 4 kabobs. Rice was delicious and blasted full of flavor, unlike a lot of similar restaurants. The staff were all very kind and helpful. The environment is cozy, home like, and inviting. Everything was about 30$. Safely 2( with leftovers) I will be back with my colleagues

If you want the best middle eastern food in San Diego come here, worth the drive, we drive from Julian to eat here awesome food awesome people 20 stars if I could

The shawarma tastes the best and closest to the Syrian shawarma. I highly recommend this place for the taste of their food and good value prices. Customer service is excellent. Also you can have free tea.

My go to spot in El Cajon. The manakish is great, chicken shawarma, the rice is so flavorful. Their middle eastern salad is enjoyable. It's great Syrian food, if you've never had Syrian food you can't go wrong. Simple, clean lean meals.

Great food! Every dish we tried was flavorful and well-prepared. The only downside is the parking situation - it's a nightmare because the place is always packed. Be prepared to spend some time looking for a spot, but once you're inside, it's worth it!

Everything inside of this place was good. You get free tea. The place is so busy. The parking is not enough, but you can park your car outside on the streets very safe area. You can sit inside or outside even in the summer. Very busy place with a lot of takeout services work. I did not try sweets yet.

We ordered lamb, hummus and fries. Lamb was a bit chewy, on the underdone side. The pieces of lamb that were good were few but excellent! Fries crisp on the outside soft on the inside, so good!! 3 stars only because of the lamb, other than that no complaints.