Sagmani's Restaurant

Beautiful people that own this place food was so so delish and veggies were fresh and crispy don’t like cabbage but the way they prepared it was out of this world!! Got try this place will not be disappointed I’m coming back for sure !!!

"The restaurant had a nice atmosphere and friendly service. The food was decent, but nothing particularly memorable. Worth a visit, though there’s room for improvement in flavor and presentation

Their food is AMAZING! Breaded chicken was to die for. Salad, rice and bread perfectly made!! Will definitely eat here again!

I had great service, and the breakfast was exceptional, although the chilfry had too much tomato paste. Would I go back? Yes, I would, but I was disappointed to be charged $1 for using my credit card on an $80 bill. That's not good for business, and it reflects poorly on the owner. It's a shame. We order Humus got charged but we did not get it.

Great introduction to Iraqi cuisine! Never had Iraqi food before, and middle eastern food only a few times before. The owners Steve and Frank were extremely welcoming and nice and arranged a plate specifically for me when I told them it was my first time eating Iraqi. The food was excellent and incredibly tasty, and the portion was generous for a big eater like myself. It was two skewers (one chicken, one beef) with tomato rice, salad, peppers, and an appetizer of hummus and pita. Really delish and very fairly priced. Did I mention they let me sit down and enjoy a cup of traditional hot tea while I was waiting for my order, and struck up a good conversation with me? Great introduction to Iraqi cuisine, I will be coming back!

Always drive by this place to work and finally tried it! Food came out hot and fresh and the beef tikka did not disappoint! Definitely coming back to try other dishes!

Very authentic atmosphere and food! I ordered the mixed plate (which could feed 4 people easily) with 2 other friends for a great price of $25. Afterwards we enjoyed a great cup of tea. The customer service is the icing on the cake; they were very polite and friendly. They also make amazing pacha every Tuesday.

Excellent food! If you are looking for homestyle Iraqi cooking this is a great place to come. The man who owns the place is very friendly and cooks all the food to order. Another positive aspect is the variety of Iraqi fare that is available here compared to other similar places in the El Cajon area. Definitely recommend

Sagmani's Restaurant is open again, again! After some downtime and a retooling of the schedule, Frank Sagmani and his dad, Steve, are back in the kitchen, serving up Iraqi breakfast and the best grilled meats and veg in El Cajon. While the restaurant is now focused on catering, especially to seniors in the East County area, they're open for in-house service from 9 to 1, seven days. It's a good idea to call ahead, especially if you're craving kefta, tikka, or some other grilled specialty. What hasn't changed is the over-the-top home-style comfort and friendliness that the Sagmani family offer to their customers. That's always on the menu!

I just stumbled upon this place as I was in the area getting some work done on my car and I was really impressed with this restaurant. When I walked in I was greeted by a lady who said take a seat anywhere and I was presented with the menu quickly. I ordered the Hummus and this is probably some of the freshest hummus I've ever had! Every bite of the hummus was delicious and you could tell it's not just store bought hummus because of the freshness of taste and it was so good with the olives and a slight drizzle of olive oil on it. I ordered a chicken shawarma which came with a lentil soup and it was amazing. I may even go back just to order a bowl of soup. The soup was zesty and bursting with flavor. The shawarma was not what I expected since it came in a different bread than I'm used to which was very similar to a thicker croissant. Even though I really enjoyed the chicken shawarma meat I think the bread just wasn't my favorite however every culture makes their shawarma differently so it was nice to try something new! I will definitely be back to try out some of the kebabs because I saw other people order the kebabs and they looked absolutely delicious! The restaurant itself is very clean on the inside and you can see even the kitchen is very clean and everything is very well kept! Also the sinacola which was my first time trying was better than coke-a-cola so I'll definitely be trying a different flavor of that next time. Overall fantastic experience!

One of my new favorite places. My boyfriend picked some up and this was the best surprise. He said it was an experience ordering there-- someone came in just to say hello, others were happily eating, and he loved that it was a family owned business. Great ambiance. Currently eating the food now and the taste has made my Sunday 10x better.

It's no longer Sagmani's. Its new name is uncle Feras and its food is amazing. The lentil soup is addictive. Check this place out! You wont regret it and everyone is so hospitable friendly and chatting with them was fun too

The service was tremendously kind and hospitable. I had beef tikka and my friend had the chicken and we started off with a gorgeous golden soup that I think was lentil based, creamy and warming and that smelled absolutely wonderful. The meat was perfect and portions were big. I'll be thrilled to get to go back.

Their food is AMAZING! Breaded chicken was to die for. Salad, rice and bread perfectly made!! Will definitely eat here again!

Sagmani's is SO GOOD. They were closed for renovation for a while, but they're back! Frank is SO nice and generous. Food is DELICIOUS. This last time (our 1st time back in years) we got chicken tekka, fava beans, and yellow rice. Everything was really yummy, fresh, and clean. Did I mention how delicious the food is? So excited they're open again!!! Note: their sign isn't up yet, so it's hard to spot, but the sign is coming!

Sagmani's Restaurant is a small Iraqi restaurant in an industrial area serving up some pretty good HALAL foods. This is a CASH only place as they don't accept credit cards. There are only a handful of tables inside and the ambiance inside is like some offices from the 70's. But that's not important, because it's all about the food here! My group ordered chicken kabob plates, beef kabob plates, and hummus. Chicken Kabob Plate ($8) - At lunch time this plate is only $8 on Monday and Tuesdays, normally it's $10. It comes with salad, basmati seasoned rice, pita bread and a skewer of boneless chicken kabobs (about 8 or 9 pieces). The chicken kabobs here are so flavorful and juicy and I loved how they were seasoned and prepared. This was an exceptional value. The salad was great as well, consisting of fresh onions, cucmbers, lettuce, and some pickled veggies. Beef Kabob Plate ($8) - Just like the chicken kabob plate, except it comes with 2 skewers of seasoned ground beef skewers. I was stuffed by the time I finished. I didn't care for the seasoning used with the beef kabobs here, taste wise it was disappointing. The meat however was tender and juicy. Next time I will stick to the chicken kabob plate. Hummus ($5) - This was one of the best hummus that I tried. The consistency and taste were perfect! It was so rich and creamy and delicious! The only negative to the hummus was that it was served with store bought pita bread. I wish they baked their own pita bread and served it here with the hummus. TO GO SPECIALS: ================ These items are to go only, and such an incredible deal. I highly recommend getting the chicken kabob skewers. $1.25 for a skewer of beef kabob $4 for a skewer of boneless chicken kabob pieces (8 or 9) Overall, the food here is EXCEPTIONALLY priced! You will not find a better deal ANYWHERE! The highlights of the meal here are the hummus and chicken kabobs. Complimentary tea is served and it's a great way to enjoy one's meal. Parking is available in a private lot that they share with other businesses.

Mmmmm mmmmmm First of all you feel like u walked into somebody's home when u walk in, the man who was there was suuuuuper nice. They brought me out a cold water even when I said I didn't need a drink, I was like whoa mama. Then my food came out and it was piping hot. Couldn't eat inside due to the rona but I dug in when I got on the road. Lol oohhhh my gosh, so fresh and the flavors are well balanced. Proportion is big. Oh yeah and I went to pay and he told me $10. So I tried to give him extra for tax and he was like no, just $10. I was like take all my money honey. You just made me feel like I didn't have to pay tax on something... go help this small business you won't be disappointed.

very good food and owner and wife super nice behind gas station In El Cajon u got to go try this place great food great people with big hearts!!!

I'm thankful to my coworkers for introducing me to this absolute gem of a restaurant, the chef of which, Mr. S. Sagmani, should be considered a national treasure. Their offerings are seemingly straightforward and simple but startling in their deliciousness. The chicken tikka lunch special, which is grilled chicken, salad, rice (and stew on lucky days), and tea, is $10 including tax and tip! After every meal, I get what I call the "happy belly feeling" I only get after great fresh food. Sagmani's was recently closed for a year, and I feared I would never taste their chicken tikka and stew again. I tried making recipes that I hoped would approximate the flavor, but they were garbage in comparison to the real thing. When the restaurant miraculously reopened, I was like, "They can't possibly be as good as I remember." No, the food was EVEN BETTER. During this pandemic, they're open 7AMish to 6PMish for takeout only. Going to make sure they have my regular support during this crazy time!

Best beef kabob and plate in El Cajon or SD... Gotta try it to believe it. Always looking forward to coming here. The workers there are always nice too

I've always heard great things about this spot, but never actually tried it until recently. My friends and family have both raved about the authentic flavor that reminds them of back home in Iraq. I came here with a family member who said I had to try the beef tikka. Listening to him, that's exactly what I ordered. The beef tikka plate came with fluffy yellow rice and Iraqi salad. The beef tikka comes out to you fresh off the grill and piping hot. When they set it on the table, I could tell from the smell alone that the tikka was gonna be good. The beef tikka was juicy, seasoned flawlessly and wasn't dried out. This was some of the best beef tikka I've ever had. Something so simple, but their preparation was outstanding. The fluffy yellow rice had the perfect texture and went great with the beef tikka. The Iraqi salad which consists of cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas and dried herbs was delicious and very refreshing. I wasn't expecting to like this place so much, but now I'm raving about it to my friends! Sagmani's is a tiny little restaurant that can bring some big flavor punches. I highly recommend coming here for your Arabic food fix and try that delicious beef tikka. Can't wait to try more!

It closed only for catering per owner also they don't answer their phone. Should put notification on yelp that this resturant os closed.

I was driving around in El Cajon and craving some Middle Eastern food, and came upon Sagmani. I'm so glad I did: this is a gem in the roughness of town. Sagmani is a family-run restaurant. The owners are from Iraq, of Caldean descent. Upon entrance to their restaurant, you're welcomed with a hearty hello and a smile. They were excited to see new customers, and eagerly sat me at a table. I noticed that the other patrons all had a great relationship with the owner. He's an older man and treats his customers like nephews and nieces. Decor is pretty simple but inviting: it's a hole in the wall place with festive decor for the holidays, paintings on the wall from the region, and a tv that they had playing music videos on Oman tv. Great music and typical decor that really reminded me of the time I spent in the Arabian peninsula. The menu is pretty extensive: kebabs, tikka, stews, they have it all. I ordered the beef kabob, which was like a kefta kebab over a bed of saffron rice, served with pickled cabbage, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers, with a dash of sumac. It was also served with pita bread, and a cup of black tea, typical custom. The servings were huge! I struggled to finish everything, but the food was so tasty that I did my darndest to eat everything. The owner also came by with a cup of white bean soup on the house, which was hearty and flavorful. The food was delicious and very authentic. What was more, the cook checked on me to make sure I enjoyed my meal. Everyone was incredibly kind. The price was more than reasonable: all that food costed me only about $12! Here's the score: Food: 5/5 Price: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 Overall: 5/5. Great find in El Cajon! I'll definitely be back!

Great lunch option in El Cajon. $10 (cash only, tax included) got me a large Chicken TIkka plate with rice, pita and all the trimmings. Hot tea included. Almost large enough to share! Next time, I gotta try the falafel. Friendly service. Atmosphere is not luxurious, it's all about the food.

The old man is very nice, but the waiters she would not stop talking and go live on facebook while people are eating. Also, it is not a Family restaurant because there is a bunch of Creepy guys in front of the restaurant outside staring on girls when they go inside the restaurant. You guys may ask why I give it three stars? Because the food was good but the location and the people outside zero stars

Had to go into downtown El Cajon this morning & figured we'd grab a bite at one of the middle eastern restaurants. Scanned Yelp reviews & then recalled a friend telling me about a hole in the wall eatery with fantastic food. Couldn't remember the name she'd mentioned so I continued to scan Yelp. Low & behold a place popped up that said they were closed, only open 1 hour a day from 9 am to 10 am...Seriously? How is that possible, obviously a mistake. Curiosity got the best of us and we were within walking distance so we cruised by on our way to the 8 west. Good luck locating it! It's next door to a tire shop & the sign over the door is painted over in same color as the building. Doesn't even look like a restaurant from the outside. As we parked we saw tables inside & decided we'd explore, hoping they were open & serving food. Turns out to be the best secret spot for middle eastern food around! Super fresh, huge portions, excellent service & the friendliest people we've met in a long time. Frankie was a delightful man, he cooked our food. His father & mother were there (assuming his parents) too. Everyone sitting around talking & smiling away! What an awesome find. We will be going back time & time again. Don't miss out.

Still the best Kabobs in all of San Diego, period. The best Hummus, Baba Gaboush, lentils, rice. They've mastered the art of the Kabob. Crisp, charcoal crust on the outside, yet extremely flavorful and juicy on the inside. Did I mention the flavor bursts you get in your mouth? So much garlic and perfect amount spices that don't overpower the meat. Fluffy, buttery rice. Crisp fresh salad and insanely flavorful side dishes. Support local family owned businesses. We must stop eating through drive thrus because it's fast and cheap. Enjoy the little gems of the world that offer us good, rich foods... like this place right here.

This restaurant always has been my go-to for their babagnosh, beef skewers and chicken tikka sandwiches! Last few times I drove by, they're closed. I don't know if they're closed for temporary or for good. I pray for everyone works there to be alright. Many blessings to them all!

I heard some good thing about this place, so I decided to give it try. When I arrived I was greeted by a friendly gentleman. After a quick view of the menu and a recommendation by the said gentleman, I decided on the chicken and beef kebab combo which came with a side of rice, salad, and some warm pita. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sagmanis-restaurant-el-cajon?select=fz7e4QXR5g3Ul-j9ihg1RQ#FZ0hu4CHCpLB0WkQObqNBQ) Both kebabs were very tender and moist and arrived with a nice dusting of paprika. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sagmanis-restaurant-el-cajon?select=fz7e4QXR5g3Ul-j9ihg1RQ#ubhjjx5SQ2zTcRHPkfVXAw) Both kebabs were made finely ground meat filled with herbs and spices that provided great exotic flavors. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sagmanis-restaurant-el-cajon?select=fz7e4QXR5g3Ul-j9ihg1RQ#1BwEXkwDG8XWtdCY24pvSg) I used the warm moist pita bread, added some of the salad, to make my own wraps with both the chicken and the beef. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sagmanis-restaurant-el-cajon?select=fz7e4QXR5g3Ul-j9ihg1RQ#6oDnI7N1jZ_PqYTDnDEy2g) The pita bread came nestled in a warm cloth. Nice touch. The rice was very good. It was nicely steamed with loose kernels and great light buttery flavor. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sagmanis-restaurant-el-cajon?select=fz7e4QXR5g3Ul-j9ihg1RQ#ryhTEY1C7P75YWhzWM14dA) The side salad was basic with tomatoes, Persian Cucumbers, onions. and pickled peppers. One thing the meal did need was some kind of sauce. Perhaps a Mediterranean yogurt sauce would of been great. The place is very basic inside with a couple of television on the walls. The chairs are something out of a bingo hall or something, but they they work. The iced tea I had, had a lemony sweet flavor. If you are like me, and don't like sweet tea, let them know before they make your tea.

I always come here. Review is no different from last time. They are consistently courteous and friendly, and food is always on point regardless of whether you're eating in or picking up takeout. Cash only but their servings are generous. I will continue to frequent Sagmani's Restaurant

Sagmani Restaurant offers an extraordinary Middle Eastern food that delivers the best tasting Chaldean experience. This is the only place I will order baba ghanoush, mashed eggplant mixed with olive oil, various seasonings, topped with olives and served with warm pita bread. I really like their chicken shish kebab. Each order comes with 2 skewer, saffron rice and fresh salad. It's a complete meal for $8 (on a regular day) and only $6 on Mondays and Tuesday. They offer catering too! This restaurant is family owned and operated. Kamal (owners cousin) was really good at making sure we are enjoying our meal and have everything we need. He even brought us tea after our bountiful meal. The restaurant is located behind a gas station and if you're not from that area it seems like a long drive, But it's so worth the find and the trip.

This is probably the best middle eastern food I've had in my whole life. Respect to the owner/chef!!! As a fellow restaurant owner, this place has my approval!!! Authentic Honest Real food No bull In my top 10 in San diego!!!

Cash only but I'd gladly come back again and spend all my cash here! Excellent food, the employees are nice and quick, the food is fresh and leg itimately made with freaking LOVE! I had the beef kabob plate, and my bf had the chicken. The meat on both were so juicy and fresh it was amazing, compared to all the dry kabobs there are everywhere else, this place was so freaking juicy. We also had the hummus tahini, it tasted so fresh too like he just made it or something and the pita bread came hot and soft. Unbelievable deal too, $26 for two entree that comes with veggies salad and pickles, an appetizer with bread, and two iraqi teas. We'll definitely be coming back!

Apparently they are closed and only make food for the elderly local community. Good on them. But hopefully they open up again soon.

Great Persian food.... the atmosphere is very casual as there are tables of men sitting drinking tea and playing dominoes or a similar game. The lentil soup was very good as well as the family platter.

I dont like to post bad reviews, but at the same time dont like when somebody tries to fool you .so we used to order from this place for a few times tray for 5 and everything was good. Tmrw my husband ordered tray for 5 to go and instead of tray where supposed to be as they say(6 beef kabobs, 2 chicken breaded, 2 beef breaded meat, chicken tikka) we got only less than half portion but for the same price! Seriously u charge for 2 beef kabob and 1 breaded chicken , 1 chicken tikka $35? Shame on you! Highly recommend to check you order before you left this place!

Ok have been several times and I love this place. Very much a hole in the wall but none the less this place has great flavors. I have yet to be disappointed with any dish I've tried. This may not be fine dining but the dishes are amazing none the less. The menu is simple and the owner/chef along with his brother keeps it sensible. Sandwich, plate, apps, etc. but the flavors are delicious. The Beef kabob alone is tasty and s great deal and that can be said about anything on the menu. Another item you will live is the pickled veggies that will come along with some dishes. The location is in a tiny strip center with a tiny parking lot situated right behind a gas station. Again this a hole in the wall(I mean no disrespect with that statement, I love small businesses such as this one and appreciate the location type, sometimes the best food comes from them ) but with well worth it. Large seating area so you can bring decent size parties and they can accommodate. Well worth a visit as nothing I can not recommend as everything I've tried was amazing, a Chef/Owners who love their customers and want to see them enjoy a great meal. Looks like El Cajon has a few gems hiding out there. Check them out.

Awesome place! The food was delicious. We got the platter and enjoyed it fir multiple nights.

I was looking for kebab place to go and I found this place near me. I called them in and made an order of kebabs. The man who answered the phone took the order without asking my name and giving me information about the total cost. When I got there place was empty and looked like no one has cleaned for a while. They told me that my order will be ready in 5 mins. After sometime the lady gave me my order and said the accept cash only no credit card. So I end up going to closest atm to get cash. Finally I picked up my order came home. Kebabs were made from old meat and smelled bad. Even grilled vegetables were very poor quality. I didn't eat but my mom tried a bite and trowed up. I do not recommend this place to anyone. Please avoid this place if you care about your health!

Best restaurant in town. By far. They need to reopen. Because I have yet to go anywhere else with food that matched Sagmani's quality and taste.

Early morning breakfast, so delicious and tasty... We ate everything on our plates. We ordered omelets which came with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and olives! This is a hidden gem! And of course, delicious hot tea to top!!!

This place has great amazing salads and kabobs. The salad dressing is one the best salad dressings I ever had. It is kind of a hole in the wall restaurant type in El Cajon, with awkward décor and not so clean, so mentally prepare for that. Food was fresh and delicious, and reasonably priced. Portion is also very good. My mom also ordered a chicken stew dish, and it was well prepared. It is a family business, and we think the owner is the cook, a very friendly and personable man. The service was great and personal, the waitress allowed us to sample some meats free of charge. They accept credit card payments. Love it and will definitely come back.

Lol a real hole-in-the-wall, but the food is super fine and awfully friendly to the wallet. Perhaps the best value in all San Diego County without a doubt. No exaggeration. Nothing over ten bucks! Beef Kabob, Rice, Salad, Ocra on top of the rice, Onions, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cabbage and bread, all for $8 Bucks. ha,ha,ha,ha...The food is so much more than tasty and varied. Take it from an Arab-American, the food is authentic and delicious, can't go wrong here, impossible. Open every day. But be warned, this place is far from beautiful, actually it's a dive, definitely not a place you bring your first date too, but the food and the prices here more than make up for this small setback of this hidden gem in El Cajon. I'm in love and will return. They also have a T.V. and outdoor seating. By the way. No Credit Cards here, they only accept cold hard cash, American Currency preferred. lol

Don't be fooled by the small size or appearance - they have the BEST kabob I have tasted in my entire life (and I've lived in the Middle East) Fantastic. Highly recommend

The Food is amazing, everything I have had there is delish. I just finished the grilled chicken sandwich and all I could do between bites was make yummy noises. Thank you Wally Sibou (my coworker) and his Uncle who owns the place for making my tummy happy! Highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys great food. Thanks Kathleen Conner

Yelp Elite on the loose trying all East County Restaurants! Stopped by Sagmani's Restaurant for dinner. We drove up to the parking lot and I was a little hesitant to eat here. There were people hanging out in the front and the restaurant seemed empty. We decided to take a chance due to the great Yelp Reviews that I've read (thanks Yelp REAL friends). I don't know the difference or dishes with Middle Eastern food other than the Kebab's. The Kabab's that I ordered were delicious and seasoned perfectly. SOOOO GOOD. You must try the Beef Shish Kebab. The service was absolutely great and the workers are very nice. The décor is outdated (70s) but the food is worth trying.

Best s restaurant and. Very good food Excellent restaurant Baba GanoushBasmati RiceBeef Cream ChopBeef Kabob PlateBeef Kabob SandwichBeef TikkaChicken Grilled Kabobs

We came here based on reviews and the reviews are right. This place is AWESOME. This is quality food prepared by a very personable fellow that takes pride in his food. We ordered takeout, 8 beef kabobs, hummus, house salad, and he also suggested we try some breaded chicken. All of this was around $20 for a huge amount of food enough for 4 people. I was shocked how beautiful the food looked in my takeout boxes and the wonderful aroma of spices on the drive home was really hard on us. It was difficult not sneaking a bite at the red lights. Not only does the food look beautiful, smell and taste incredibly delicious, but the owner is just a funny, warm, welcoming dude. This place is what San Diego is all about. Neighborhoods. I'm happy to have Yelp user reviews to lead me to places I might not have discovered on my own. This place is a must try for you and a new favorite for us.

If it weren't for a cheap food article published in the San Diego Reader newspaper, I wouldn't have found out that traditional Iraqi breakfast is served at Sagmani. This restaurant is located in an isolated and unassuming strip mall with "Mediterranean cuisine" and "Best kabobs in town" posters decorating the storefront. Sagmani is an ethnic hole in the wall, the type that's open for breakfast but with no morning menu provided. All of the early bird customers were Middle Eastern. When I entered the establishment, I asked the server about my options for breakfast. She mentioned something about an "Iraqi omelete". I read that staples of Iraqi breakfast include eggs and bread in a dip, but I wanted something slightly different. I told her that I wanted to eat ful, or fava beans, which is one of my favorite Middle Eastern breakfast dishes. Perhaps she was cautious not to offend a foreigner, so she went into the kitchen to get someone who could help me out. A minute later, I was greeted by Mr. Sagmani himself, the chef and owner. He asked how I typically eat my breakfast and explained how he would cook it. Then off to the kitchen he went. Chef Sagmani personally brought out my order and beamed with pleasure as he witnessed a foreigner about to eat breakfast cooked the same way as it is at his hometown in Iraq. The dish he presented was called "tishrib baghela bdehan", which consists of a thick slice of fried egg covering a bed of whole fava beans and mixed with torn pieces of Iraqi flatbread. On the side, the condiment plate was just as big as the main course, filled with olives, white onions, lime, and some type of mustard-like relish. Out of all the Middle Eastern dishes I've eaten before, this breakfast combo was probably the least approachable. Not to say that Sagmani's cooking was horrible, the presentation and freshness of ingredients were to high standards, but the dish just had an acquired taste for a Western palate. It was very tangy and bitter since the beans and thick bread were soaked with strong olive oil. There was hardly any salt added, and the dish composed of many sharp and sour flavors that took a while to get used to. The flavors seemed to be closer to the food from Turkey than Iran, the two neighbors of Iraq. Although most ingredients in "tishrib baghela bdehan" were familiar, it was the first time they were assembled into this unique combination. Each element tasted fine when eaten individually, but I couldn't imagine how I could stuff down large beans, egg, softened bread, ripe olives, and onions in the same bite. The complimentary black tea that Iraqis drink for breakfast helped wash down the sourness of the olive oil and my bad breathe thanks to the onions. Overall, this Iraqi breakfast was rich on the carbs and protein, so it's the heavy type that you'd want to eat when you need energy later. On the way out, I noticed that Mr. Sagmani also specializes in grilling kabobs. Beef or chicken kabobs are available for $1.25 a piece, and it includes a small side salad. I wonder if Mr. Sagmani makes much profit from selling this! I also realized that other customers were ordering the lentil soup, which is another Iraqi breakfast favorite. I would try that next time instead, since it's significantly lighter.

Simple little Middle Eastern eatery in a tricky-to-find location just off the main drag in El Cajon; definitely wouldn't have stumbled upon this place, but for Yelp. But, glad I did. Was warmly greeted by the owner, Steve Sagmani himself. He pointed out the fresh, marinated chicken tekka cooking on the grill, and I went with his recommendation. You can get it a la carte for just $3, or as a plate w/ rice, pita and tasty salad for $8. I opted for the plate, and it was generous, with very tender and flavorful chicken. It was early, and the rice wasn't quite ready, so he gave me some soup instead - a mild, smooth, yellow lentil soup. Enjoyed a hot cup of Chai Tea, too, while I was waiting. Worth a visit if you're in the area!

Delicious authentic food. The staff is incredibly Friendly. The place is clean, it is not fancy, so don't expect that. They have art on the walls and a small t.v. Plenty of parking. Free tea while you wait. Absolutely recommend.

Ordered Togo from this spot because of all the good reviews. Omg I was not expecting food that good!! Middle eastern food in El Cajon is like Starbucks. It's everywhere, but this place by far is the best and the cheapest! Combo for 5 people was only 30 bucks!!! It comes with 2 different beef and 2 different chicken with salad, rice, and pita bread. Such a good deal. Seriously you gotta try this place. Location is behind a gas station and total hole in the wall. Food is worth the trip! Cash only

This place has great tasting reasonably priced food that is very tasty. The staff is very friendly and you feel like your at home with genuine smiles,quick service. I like the various Chicken items they have on hero type bread. All the sandwiches are delicious and the atmosphere is very quiet,relaxed,and you will want o go there often. Its not fancy dining at all.Spotless clean always and always a new dish to try. Cash Only at this place..so go to the atm first. Highly recommend to all.

The tea is a courtesy, the food incredible, the mark this place left on me is indelible. Best chicken kabob I've ever had. Fantastic owner that really cares about your experience there.

Growing up Iraq, we were on a mission to find the best kabobs in San Diego. this place got the spot, and great lunch value for $8! Definitely more "hole-in-the-wall", but that's I like, especially when searching for the authentic cuisine. Highly recommend!

This place is legit. The prices are more than reasonable. The flavor of the kabobs are great. It seems somewhat ghetto on the outside (and the inside). If you're afraid to try it based on the appearance, get yourself a gun, and give this place a chance. You won't need your gun, but you WILL need cash. $20 will get you a ton of food.

An authentic middle eastern cuisine restaurant in El Cajon. We were hungry for some lunch and made a stop here. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Food was quickly served and the waitress we had was friendly even though her English was not the best. I would recommend coming here even though it may look like it's in a seedy area of town! Good food, check out my photos.