Al Rafidain

From photos I believe i have the correct location, the one In rancho san diego, if I do not please…read morepass it forward. Last night I was one of the last customers prior to closing at 1am. Your store only had 1 female cashier open. The store is kind of dark and I mentioned it to her. Anyway, I watched as custo.ers came up for final purchases. She smiled at everyone, gave kind and courteous service to each and every person. My mind said simply AMAZING... its 1 am and I have insomnia and am restless but I am very alert and saw her professionalism and unique talent, not to mention she is beautiful, and through her talent aline I could see into her heart. It was just last night so Id appreciate if you sought her out, sat her down and give recognition as talent like that can only be praised from a person such as myself. I usually drive around 2nd street when im awake and there is a curfew woth no grocery stores open that late. I simply turned left and went down Jamachs where I found friendly and professionally talented customer service at Ralph's. 5 stars and then some. Sorry I didn't catch her name but I will return to let her know that this review is for what she represents.

I never buy reduced priced food before. So I picked up some lunch meat. I opened the package and my…read moresense of smell and taste ain't that great. So my wife tried a little and it was spoiled. I will NEVER buy reduced priced food from anywhere now. Caught food poisoning once and it wasn't pleasant. Lesson learnt.

Maybe this will help find who she is

Her name

See all

Butcher has rack of lamb

Kaelin's Market

3.5(156 reviews)

0.7 mi

Family-owned & operated

Grab-and-go

I love everything about this supermarket! The staff is always friendly and helpful. My man doing…read moresecurity treats every person coming through that door with dignity and respect and does it with a smile...and DEEEEP bellowing voice. The store is always clean and stocked and great prices. They're redoing the hot food seating area and I'm stoked to see it. All of the prepared food I've had here has been delicious.

This place is the place to be ! Decent prices , many, many options . I gain 10bs just looking at…read moreall the choices .. and it's soo worth it ! Great service. Clean and festive ambiance !

These packages included panela & were tempting

The ones on the bottom were mine, Yumm!!

See all

Meat Department

Vons

2.3(164 reviews)

2.2 mi

Great store in Santee with good selection of wine & deli meats. Friendly & helpful staff. My go-to…read morestore for 13 years...

The cashier yelled at my sister and I who are well over 35 because she wanted everyone's id in the…read moreparty... because her argument was "we don't know who all is drinking"... :/ I didn't have my id so I said oh I'll go it's ok. She persisted to refuse to sell until I come back in to show id. Not worth the fuss... lol will shop elsewhere! The law is purchaser should have id... maybe get better customer service or cashiers

See all

Manolo’s Farmers Market

3.3(95 reviews)

1.0 mi

Think Sprouts but 10x cheaper! This place is absolutely amazing! Fresh meat, fresh fruit and fresh…read moreeverything! Walking in this place has absolutely everything you need to make the best food at home! Or even if you're stopping in for lunch, they have hot plates ready to go for cheap. I come here personally because I like the fresh fruit! Also the meat from the deli sooooooo good!! Place is always clean!!! Service is always great and there is plenty of parking! See you soon Manolos

The chicken prices, not only are the regular ones good, but bonus - when they're on sale and it…read morehappens quite a bit! The freshly made tortillas, especially when they're coming out hot from - are THE best! Even if they're not hot "off the presses," so to speak, there are always packs of freshly made ones as seen in the steam collecting in the bag. Definitely give this place a try!

See all

Albertsons

3.0(113 reviews)

4.1 mi

We went around 3:00 PM, went down the midway. We stopped at the CHEVY DEALERSHIP. Gonzalo got a…read moreshirt and bag. We rode the SKYRIDE, back and forth. We went to the GAMES, we played at the CA LOTTERY, eventually winning over $125. I went to the inside booths, and my partner went to the animals. WE CONCLUDED WITH THE STANDS OVERLOOKING THE RACETRACK, for the buffet. All-in-all a fun day AT THE FAIR, utilizing a RENTED ELECTRIC SCOOTER!!!

This review is for Susan, I believe she works in floral and for everyone I've had for my drive up…read moreorders, Hunter, a few others I can't recall also but I do it weekly and see new faces and always wonderful. On Mother's Day Susan helped me put together a bouquet in my budget and with what I wanted and today buying corn she overhead me discussing not knowing how to tell which is good and she helped me. Everytime I see her she is so overly helpful and beyond what usual care is. Same with the pick up order crew, EACH ONE, and I wish I remember their names, I come with my dachshund in my car, and they all interact with me and help me. The way they're so gentle with my stuff and helpful and make small talk is unheard of now adays. I love doing drive up because of those interactions when my day is hard - which has been often lately. They make my day even better. SUSAN tho, I joked and said I felt she ran the store. She is so helpful. Knowledgeable and more.

See all

Vons

2.6(211 reviews)

3.5 mi

I love the Vons meat department. It is always well stocked with fresh beef, pork, poultry and…read moreseafood. I recently needed pork butt for slow roasting pulled pork. Vons had two perfectly sized three-pound(ish) packages. Secured a good discount for being a memeber. Checkout could be a bit smoother and quicker. Note to self: Self-checkout next time.

So an 8 pack of hamburger buns is $8.39 and a 20 ounce Pepsi zero $5.99 are you kidding me. I left…read morebecause I was in a hurry didn't realize until later how out of control this is. I had seen a price of $2.99. So not only are the prices just highway robbery they ripped me off for $3.00. Anyway I won't be back!!!! Be careful if you shop there.

See all

Food4Less

2.5(73 reviews)

1.1 mi•Bostonia

08/17/2026. Stop hear to pick up some things. Been in this food 4 Less before. Have some good…read moreprices on food and drinks. The staff is outgoing professional and polite and helpful out when needed. Store was clean and well stocked. 5 stars . I will recommend them. Buy 3 12 packs of soda for 11.99 get 3 free. Yes I would recommend . Them and I be back

The workers here suck. The security and the cashiers are always watching you, making you feel like…read morea criminal. ALSO the cashiers always have attitudes on them, like what?? The food is OK. The snack deals are the only good part of food4less, but besides that this place is BELOW AVERAGE. For example, if the rotisserie chicken is supposed to be sold by 6pm, you will still see it being sold for full price even by 11pm. Workers will not give you a discount. The workers do NOT care. The ambiance SUCKS. The place is dirty and all the shopping carts are missing!! There's literally like ~20 shopping carts left AND ALL OF THEM ARE BROKEN!! So good luck buying groceries if you come here. My recommendation: Don't come here. The workers watch over you obsessively and they are rude. You are better off going to Vons to get the same deals while getting a better shopping experience too. Do NOT trust the good reviews. Those people are literally NPCs in real life

Hatch peppers, jalapeño, Roma tomatoes, bell pepper & potatoes

I was charged 10 cents for a bag that I didn't want need request or vote for.

See all

Sprouts Farmers Market

3.8(205 reviews)

0.8 mi

Came in on monday after work in such a weird mood but when i got to check out Olivia (my cashier)…read morewas so bubbly and sweet, we talked about music while she was helping me, it really made my day! I'm excited to come back and talk to her more!

Excellent service nice greeting Huda I enjoy shopping got everything what I need. I enjoy the 50%…read moreoff

See all

Regular sandwich menu (as of 10/2/2025)

North Park Produce

3.2(107 reviews)

2.1 mi•Cajon Heights

I like this store, I want to shop there, but there is a bad smell in the store and it impregnates…read morethe stuff you buy as well. Today I am still smelling it. Does anybody know what this smell is? is there any hope of it getting fixed?

$9 - sandwich It was a little before 9 a.m., everyone in the…read moreworking world was in full swing. But not me, I was inside North Park Produce as a customer. I hadn't expected to be swooned before breakfast, but I was. It started with a glance at the deli counter. Behind the glass counter you can see the glistening meats turn slowly on the spits. I knew it was early, but I asked for a chicken shawarma wrap. "Five minutes," the man replied. And just like that, he was gone. After five minutes a woman appeared in his place, calm and unreadable. She told me she couldn't make a shawarma, but she could make me - and then she said something in her native language and made a motion with her hands. These were words I didn't recognize. Not even close. "I'm sorry, what?" I asked. She repeated it, as if I didn't hear her. I listened again, and I still didn't understand. There was a pause between us, but I was completely captivated. She said, "It's a sandwich". I nodded and smiled. "yes, chicken, please." Then it began, she went to the baker, giving him instructions, he began shaping a fresh loaf just for me. I watched, transfixed, as the dough came to life in his hands before disappearing into the heat of their homemade tandoor oven. Moments later, it emerged, warm, blistered, and perfect. She was there to catch it, like it belonged to her all along. She took it and split it open, gently, then added the chicken carved straight from the spit, as it was still turning. On to fresh cucumbers, crisp onions, a generous smear of garlic and yogurt, a dusting of spices. Nothing was careless but she was mechanical and every movement deliberate. As I watched, I know that she made the sandwich with a quiet care and with her hands as if every step mattered. When she finally pressed the bread together and wrapped it, there was intention in it. That was something made just for me. I didn't see any like it written on the menu. I took it in my hands. It was still warm. I could smell it and decided I wasn't going to wait long before first bite. Sitting at a table outside a coffee shop, the first bite was everything at once, juicy meat, crisp veggies, rich yogurt. The warm bread pocketed with the great flavors unfolded in a way that felt balanced and complete and brought the whole experience alive. It filled me in a way I hadn't expected, like a fleeting connection that somehow lingers longer than it should. The whole experience felt almost intimate, because she had taken it upon herself to make it truly satisfying. Each bite was unconscionably shaped with thought and attention. While it wasn't love, it was more like a morning fling. Definitely one I didn't plan and the kind you don't question. But it's the kind that leaves you full, a little dazed, and already wondering if you'll ever find your way back to something so satisfying. That particular store may seem a bit offsetting for some. It might be its location. Or the decor. It is shaped more by culture than design trends. There is a lived-in charm to it where authenticity matter more than polish, and every corner feels like a small piece of home. The workers communicate in generous, full voices of their native language in an open way. It's not an angry or offsetting way, but they are very open and at ease in their environment. I also really enjoyed the $9 a la carte lamb shank and the French Feta-style cheese if very rich and creamy. Both get thumbs up!

Patries and food

See all

Albertsons

2.7(110 reviews)

1.1 mi

* The store offers a wide range of services under one roof: fresh produce, a bakery, deli trays, a…read morefloral department, a pharmacy, and even delivery and pickup options. * The produce section stands out for its commitment to freshness and locally-sourced items, with a "guaranteed fresh or your money back" promise. * The floral department appears well-staffed and attentive -- a nice touch if you're shopping for more than just groceries. * Hours are generous (6:00 AM to midnight) making it convenient for early runs or late-evening errands. * Heads-up for: Specialty orders (custom cakes, large party trays, event-specific deli orders) -- verify in advance to make sure service meets your expectations. * The store displays a clean, organized appearance: produce is promoted as "guaranteed fresh" which gives an impression of a cared-for space. * Friendly service seems to contribute positively to the vibe: reviewers cite helpful staff which tends to make the environment more comfortable. * Because it's open early to very late (6:00 AM to midnight) it gives a convenient, reliable feel--less stressed than smaller hours might impose.

Deli Department has the most rude older white/grey long hair lady and a stocky short older white…read moreman, OMG, I'm not sure if this was a racial issue or just really bad customer service of older employees. My sister, my mother and I just trying to buy Fried Chicken for 4th of July, they Ruined our day for the most part, we realized that 50 piece order are only done ahead of time, so then we went down to 30 pieces, Negative they both were lecturing us about how its 4th of july and everyone wants to buy chicken and they would run out, isnt this the point? sell sell sell, the whole display was full full of fried chicken, so on top of denyin us the chicken order we were given a lecture Yeesh, my poor mother was all we want is to buy chicken and go enjoy our pool party. I spoke to the manger of the store, very very nice lady the best, she offered us the 30 pieces free of charge I declined and said no thank you, this is not about the Chicken anymore, its about the service. who knows what those people would of done to our free chiecken. lol i will never shop at the DELI anymore.

RavenWolfofCelticBlood Y.

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

13 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Vedil S.

0

1

2

9 months ago

From the first bite, it's clear this food is made with pride, tradition, and real attention to flavor. Everything tastes fresh, well-seasoned, and cooked with care, the kind of food that doesn't try to overcomplicate things because it doesn't need to. The kabobs are a standout: juicy, tender, and perfectly charred with that smoky grill flavor you want, not dry or overcooked. The chicken is especially flavorful, and the beef has a deep, savory taste that shows it's been properly marinated. The shawarma is rich and satisfying, sliced thin and packed with spice without being overpowering. The sides elevate the whole experience. The rice is fluffy and aromatic, the bread is warm and soft, and the sauces bring everything together. The garlic sauce is smooth and bold, the tahini is balanced, and the spicy cilantro sauce adds just the right kick. Even the salads and pickled vegetables feel fresh and purposeful, not like afterthoughts. Portion sizes are generous, especially on the platters, making them perfect for sharing or taking home leftovers. You can tell this is comfort food rooted in tradition, the kind that keeps people coming back because it consistently delivers. Overall, this is honest, flavorful Mediterranean food done right. No shortcuts, no gimmicks, just well-made dishes that taste as good as they look. read more

Bristal F.

2

22

31

3 months ago

I absolutely loved this place! It is a wonderful mom-and-pop shop with a great atmosphere. The workers and cooks were incredibly nice and welcoming. The food took about 20 minutes to come out, but the portions were huge, high-quality, and very reasonably priced @ $45.00 I also really enjoyed their drinks!A quick tip for first-timers: you pay after you finish eating, and make sure to ask for a receipt. I got two pieces of their big bread for $5 total ($2.50 each), which was an amazing deal. I will definitely be back here with more of my family! read more

Frans A.

0

11

4

1 year ago

I had a very disappointing experience at Al Rafidain. The customer service was extremely poor--staff were rude and not helpful at all. The place didn't feel clean or organized, and the quality of the food/products did not match the price. I expected much better, especially based on some of the good reviews I had seen. Definitely not coming back, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for good service or a professional atmosphere. read more

Dr ED M.

1657

455

824

3 years ago

Everything about this restaurant was great. The place was clean and smelled good. The staff and greeter was very nice. Our waiter was awesome, the staff also worked as a team in bringing and cleaning up our food. The food was fresh and awesome. Then we also had dessert and that was really good as well. Great atmosphere with really nice people. read more

Wal F.

0

1

0

10 years ago

They very bad customer service they don't know what is taking orders from customers they ok it will ready you go there and they would tell you you have no order or sorry we gave your order to someone else they need someone who knows to take run the business because now what they is a bunch of people running around not knowing what to do. read more

35

7

0

8 years ago

The food and people are truly kind and take good care of what you want ,,,Ive been coming here for years when Im in California with family and they treat you like family,,Don't take my word go see yourself and tell them Jason from Maine told me to come and see for myself... read more

HvacZoneHomesteadingFarms S.

0

1

0

6 years ago

When I'm in the San diego Area I always visit one of my favorite places due to the quality food at excellent prices, Al Rafidain has kept its quality for years and the people are very nice. Stay well see you again soon.. read more

M S.

0

5

0

12 years ago

People always give good comments about their Kabab!! BUT they use a really bad and old vegetable!! It's all yellow!!!also, the bread under the Kabab is not iraqi bread!! It's old lebanese bread! read more

Vedil S.

90

3

2

9 years ago

It doesn't get much better than this place, definitely a hole in the wall type that has some of the best kabobs I have tasted. I recommend you go and give this place a try! read more

Daniel A.

5

16

29

11 years ago

0 stars. Rude, customer service sucks. And the place is filthy and gross. People go there becuz it's one of few places to go to

Merwais F.

0

1

2 years ago

the most nasty and aw food , never ever buy anything from Al Rafidain they the sell most disgusting food

F S.

0

1

0

8 years ago

Best food in town cooked in front of you. They will take great care of you no matter who you are

Nick S.

1

3

5

9 years ago

I don't recommend to nobody to come to this market It is very bad customer DO NOT GO THERE read more

Al Rafidain - mideastern - Updated October 2026

Browse Nearby

BEST of El Cajon, California Coffee near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Restaurants near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Desserts near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Mediterranean Food near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Things to Do near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Parking near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Shawarma near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Smoke Shop near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Halal near Al Rafidain

BEST of El Cajon, California Gym near Al Rafidain

Best of El Cajon

Things to do in El Cajon

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Al Rafidain also viewed

Kaka Rawand

4.4

(7 reviews)

Nice food good price the idea for ordering food little bit different like you have to order and you…read morego to grab the food but it's okay Thank you

Great kefta skewers. Fast and clean service. The bread is…read moreamazing as well. Great price. Underrated.

Sahara Taste of the Middle East

4.4

(1.2k reviews)

Excellent experience from start to finish! The food was delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. The…read moreservice was outstanding--everyone was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome. The atmosphere was great and made the whole experience even better. You can tell they really care about the quality of their food and their customers. We had a great time and will definitely be coming back. Highly this place to anyone looking for great food and excellent service!

I love Middle Eastern food, something about kebabs and shawarma with rice and hummus that I love…read more So I make it a point to try virtually every middle eastern restaurant I come across, especially in downtown San Diego and El cajon. If you want to save yourself a lot of time and trouble, Skip all the others and just head to sahara! I've been coming to Sahara in El cajon for the past 10 years or so and have always loved the food here. They're shawarma is so tender and flavorful, so are the kebabs and the chicken cream chop. Love their garlic aioli and hummus. The employees who work here are very friendly and helpful and the restaurant is clean and inviting. Check out Sahara taste of the Middle East and find out what you've been missing.

Fattoush Mediterranean Fine Cuisine

4.4

(581 reviews)

Fabulous food, large portions, kind and friendly owners, and they still have lamb, when many…read moreMediterranean restaurants have removed it from the menu because of cost. Like two huge skewers of luscious lamb kebab. I was here many years ago and re-found them when working nearby a couple of months ago. So delicious! I referred friends recently - one said she licked her plate clean, and she and hubby have been back twice in two weeks. The other evening three of us split the lamb kebab and vegetarian sampler plates, and there was more than plenty for all. I'm so happy to have re-found this place.

So I wanted to go to Alforon but they were closed so decided to try this place. I found it pretty…read moreexpensive for the portion size. On the plus size the server was super friendly. Other than that it was just average. We ordered the falafel which we thought was the best part of the meal. We also got the fattoush salad which was very underdressed and the sizzling garlic chicken which was just too sweet and not worth $25. Overall just an okay experience.

Petrino's Greek Restaurant

4.5

(659 reviews)

I came here on a Tuesday because my friends kept raving about their 2 for $5 pita pockets Tuesday…read morespecial. Well, I finally got to try it and I was not disappointed. The portion size for only $5 was a steal and what made it better was that the food was great. The pita bread was bouncy, the chicken had a delicious flavor unlike any chicken shawarma I've had, the lettuce was perfectly crunchy and the tomato was perfectly ripe. Not sure where they source their items from but wherever they're from, they've selected the best. I also had a lovely experience when I picked up my food. The manager, Tom, was very attentive and let me take some samples of their unique salsas. Those were also yummy. Overall, great experience. Oh, if you can, buy a small container of their homemade garlic sauce. Best I've ever had.

LOVE the 2 for $5 mini pita pocket special on Tuesdays! They have chicken, chicken fingers, beef,…read morefalafel, and gyro! My favorite is the chicken finger and falafel. I'm not a big red meat person but all my friends have said great things. They have green salsa that is spicy but has the perfect kick. I prefer to call in our order as they can be pretty busy. They're friendly and always confirm our order. They have seats inside and always have the fans running. It's great to enjoy the pits pockets and sit in a cool area.

Kunduz Kabob & Pizza

4.5

(176 reviews)

This place is a hidden gem !!! One of the most authentic Afghanistan restaurants I've eaten at in…read moreSan Diego. Very very delicious. I drove from La mesa to try it out from the reviews on yelp The service was good and the ambience was very cool old school vibes very traditional to their country style for eating. I got the rice dish with kabob and as you can see I forgot to take a picture before but here is after . If you're hungry and want some tasty authentic afghan food this place won't disappoint you.

I had this place bookmarked for a long time. I finally decided to go online and order take out…read more Everything was seasoned and cooked to perfection. I'm not someone that likes raisins normally and these were different than the typical raisins I've had. I liked the sweetness to it with the rice and lamb. The flavors blended well together. It's not convenient to find parking, the parking lot is small and tight. When it's busy, it's a bit difficult to get inside and outside of here.

Ishtar Restaurant and Banquet Hall

3.4

(20 reviews)

This place is always filthyyyyyyy! It's like the owner does not clean it whatsoever! The bathroom…read morealways smells, with dirty toilets and sinks and the floors are atrocious! I have been to multiple events at this hall and I WOULD NOT recommend this place! Very very dirty! I hope management changes for this place so they can at least give it a good cleaning before events.

New to the neighborhood and trying out local places. This hidden gem is amazing, so delicious and…read moregreat quality!

Arman Cafe

3.8

(12 reviews)

Excellent Afghani food. We ordered family platter for 6, and it was good for 8 people.read more

Food is great, service is terrible…read more Advice to management: Teach your staff to greet the customers, then seat them, then ask for drinks right away. When you bring the drinks back take the orders. This establishment lacks professionalism and would be a great place if it simply had better, faster service.

Express Shawarma

5.0

(4 reviews)

A new delicious food truck has hit road, and they parked at the Tyke's Liquor parking lot. I had…read morethe chicken shawarma sandwich which was delicious. The chicken specifically was tender and juicy. I really liked the marinade on the chicken. The garlic sauce that came with the sandwich was very tasty. They offered a variety of middle eastern cuisine, including beef and chicken shawarma, kabobs, saj wraps, hummus, falafels, and a variety of combination plates. Customer service was very welcoming and friendly. I look forward to returning to try their wraps and fatoush salad.

Soooo yummy always hits when I'm hungry after or during work! Burgers are big and generous,…read morecustomer service is great! Overall highly recommend!

Big Bear Produce

3.1

(19 reviews)

I don't recommend this place Adderall. They are very dirty place. Most of there staff expired make…read moresure you check the expiration date. Make sure to check the stuff before you eat it. I went there two time I had one time cheese and chicken cheese where expired and chicken was old the person in front at the register he's very good and mean I don't thing he was Iraqi. I think he was from somewhere in middle eastern. I will never go back to this place.

Main St. in El Cajon has become a hub for Mediterranean/Middle Eastern grocery stores and another…read moreone has opened, Big Bear Produce. What an adorable name, right? They even have a bear on their big, bright signage. For me what sets them apart is that they're a full-service market compressed in a smaller, easily navigable space. They have a hot food section offering beef and chicken shawarma and a handful of other dishes like lentil soup, rice and potatoes. They make their own bread and baklava (they're pretty good!) and also have a meat section with halal/non-halal meats. The staff here has always been friendly and greet me with a smile when I walk in. On one occasion when I picked up some beef shawarma, the lovely lady threw in two complimentary sammoon bread with my order! How sweet of her :) btw they cut their shawarma really thick here...and it's always been very moist and nicely seasoned. Delish! Produce is fresh and reasonably priced. It may be limited at times, but they always have a decent selection. It's my new favorite Mediterranean grocery store.

Shawarma Guys

4.7

(1.1k reviews)