Omar S.
Yelp
When I was a kid, we'd drive to the beach for a few days' recreation, which was fun, but one of the best parts of the trip was the ride home. See, the Kiwanis guys would set up a large chicken BBQ by the side of the road, just where the bridge backed up on Sunday afternoons, and the smell of grilled chicken would torture us kids and force our parents to spring for several plates. Genius.
Fortunately, you and I don't have to drive from San Diego to rural Delaware to get ridiculously good grilled chicken and fish. We have Nahrain, on Main Street in El Cajon.
Don't be put off by the strip mall. In fact, remember the bakery, Shakira, next door to Nahrain; you're going to want to stop in there on your way home.
At the back of Nahrain's dining area is a deli counter laden with several species of fresh fish. Customers make their choice based on the species they prefer, but also on the size of the fish, some of which will feed a half-dozen people or more.
On a recent visit, my wife had a grilled red snapper (served masgoof-style) , and I had a spicy whole chicken that was spatchcocked and grilled as well. Both of these items were expertly prepped and cooked over the flame of the tanoor. They were moist and flavorful, with delicious bits of char, and taking a tip from from our fellow diners, most of whom were Iraqi, we used pieces of the Arab bread called khubz to pick meat from bone and carry it to our mouths.
The woman running the front of house was helpful and a bit directive as we chose our food, reminding me so much of my father's sister that I took to calling her "Amti", Arabic for "auntie". She seemed to enjoy that, and spoke to me in Arabic, which sadly was a wasted effort, as I only remember a few words from childhood.
The restaurant itself is spare, brightly lit, and offers Arabic language music videos playing quietly in the background. Service is tin foil, paper and plastic, water is bottled, soft drinks are canned. Those used to cushy surroundings might do better to order carry out, which I've done, several times.
Our meal was not inexpensive, costing $40 plus tip, which included two drinks and a hummus appetizer (comped... thanks, Yelp!). However, I so enjoy fresh, well-prepared grilled fish and chicken in large quantities that I consider the price worth paying.